Summary:
The 35th National Games swimming event in Karachi faced significant disruption due to faulty technical equipment, forcing athletes to rely on manual timing. Newly installed touchpads and display boards, some unsuited for outdoor conditions, failed shortly after installation. This setback highlighted infrastructure deficiencies and raised concerns among participants and officials, overshadowing the athletic performances.
Faulty Technical Equipment Disrupts National Games Swimming
Faulty technical equipment caused considerable disruption at the 35th National Games swimming competition in Karachi, held in December 2025. Despite recent upgrades, critical systems failed, forcing officials to revert to manual timing, reminiscent of decades past. This unexpected setback impacted athletes seeking to establish personal bests or national records.
The newly installed Joyi touchpads and display boards, mandated by the Pakistan Swimming Federation, malfunctioned shortly after implementation. Reports of the display board wilting under Karachi’s heat surfaced, confirming it was unsuitable for outdoor conditions. Swimmers even reported mild electric jolts from touchpads, though a Chinese technical aide clarified the 24-volt battery posed no electrocution risk, as reported by SindhNews.com.
Challenges with Technical Equipment
This reliance on manual stopwatches, where median times served as official results, inevitably introduced delays and reduced precision compared to advanced systems. A frustrated mother noted, “How are you conducting something as major as the national games without proper equipment? This is ridiculous.” Officials contrasted the Joyi equipment, which failed within days, with the reliable Omega touchpads used for 28 years in Islamabad.
The incident underscores broader concerns about sporting infrastructure in Sindh, with national federation officials claiming a lack of consultation on equipment procurement. This return to basic methods at a national event raises questions about future preparations and the integrity of athletic achievements.