Sri Lanka not ready to host SAG 2026 – NOCSL

The 15th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2026 is in doubt due to the current political crisis between rivals India and Pakistan.

 

The SAG, which was scheduled to be held in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2023, was postponed several times due to internal issues in the country, and now, as per the common agreement of the Olympic authorities in the region, the Pakistani government and the Olympic Committee of Pakistan have decided to conduct the event five years later, from January 23 to 31, 2026.

 

Pakistan had previously organised the SAG in Islamabad in 1989 and 2004. The last SAG was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2019.

 

If the current situation between India and Pakistan continues, India's participation in the SAG will be in doubt.

 

Meanwhile, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror that the ongoing conflict between the two countries and the upcoming SAG is a serious issue and could lead to a situation where the SAG cannot be held as scheduled in January 2026.

 

When asked if Sri Lanka is ready to accept the upcoming SAG hosting rights, the NOCSL President said, "Hosting SAG costs a lot of money. It is difficult for us to find that money in a short period,” he said.

 

“Given the current situation in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government cannot afford such a sum at once. If such a proposal is made, we will have to reject it."

 

Sri Lanka is scheduled to receive the 2027 SAG hosting rights according to the SAG alphabetical order. Sri Lanka has previously hosted the SAG in 1991 and 2006.