Chaos at Karachi National Games leaves athletes stranded and frustrated
By Nawaz Gohar ; The ongoing 35th National Games in Karachi have come under sharp criticism amid serious allegations of mismanagement, leaving athletes and officials arriving from across Pakistan distressed and struggling to cope with poor arrangements.
Thousands of players representing various provinces and departments have complained of inadequate facilities, non-functional transport services, accommodation failures and frequent changes in match schedules. The situation has placed immense mental and physical strain on athletes who had traveled long distances to compete in Pakistan’s premier sporting event.
Athletes from other provinces reported that the transportation system had all but collapsed. Buses assigned to escort teams to competition venues were reportedly unavailable or arrived late, causing events to be delayed. Many players were forced to use taxis, rickshaws or ride-hailing services at personal expense to reach their venues on time.
A team official described the confusion by saying, “The schedule was at one place, the transport somewhere else, and the driver at an entirely different location.” According to athletes, most of the day was wasted in making phone calls and attempting to confirm match timings and transport arrangements.
Accommodation issues further aggravated the situation. Players alleged that housing arrangements were poorly managed and far below acceptable standards. Many said they had come with pride to represent their provinces but instead found themselves struggling to secure basic facilities. “This has turned into a test of patience and endurance rather than a sporting competition,” one athlete remarked.
Constant changes to match schedules and venues added to the frustration. Several players reported that competition times were altered multiple times within a single day and venue changes were communicated at the last minute, severely affecting preparation and focus.
Medical and technical support was also reportedly lacking at several venues. Injured players complained of inadequate access to first aid, while no proper complaint mechanism was available. Information desks were often unmanned, and accreditation and pass systems remained disorganized.
Sports officials and athletes alike have warned that such conditions damage not only the credibility of sports administration but also players’ confidence in future events.
They stress that unless urgent corrective steps are taken, Pakistan’s reputation as a host of national sporting events and the overall standard of local sports could suffer long-term damage. The Sindh government, which is hosting the event, has not yet issued an official response to the growing concerns.
