Sri Lanka - tall order to match 2004 winnings

by A. C. de Silva

Sri Lanka will have a tall order if they are to improve in their medals tally when the 10th edition will be staged in Colombo and at a few venues in the outstations.

In Islamabad in Pakistan when the Games were last held in 2004, Sri Lanka got 15 Golds, 33 Silver and 57 Bronze medals and it improves on that score will be a tough ask as the Sri Lankans have not been performing well in the various deciplines.

In athletics in Islamabad in 2004, Sri Lanka got 12 Golds, 9 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals, while India got 15 Golds, 12 Silver and 14 Bronze medals and Pakistan got 5 Golds, 8 Silver and 12 Bronze medals.

This time, the SAF Games will be held from August 18 to 28 with 20 sports being up for competition in 11 days. There are around 2,500 competitors in the fray.

Sri Lanka's performances....

1984 - First SAF Games in Kathmandu: Gold: 7, Silver: 11, Bronze: 19

1985 - Second SAF Games in Dhaka: Gold: 2, Silver: 7, Bronze: 9

1987 - Third SAF Games in Calcutta: Gold: 4, Silver: 7, Bronze: 23

1989 - Fourth SAF Games in Islamabad: Gold: 6, Silver: 10, Bronze: 21

1991 - Fifth SAF Games in Colombo: Gold: 44, Silver: 33, Bronze: 4

1993 - Sixth SAF Games in Dhaka: Gold: 20, Silver: 23, Bronze: 38

1995 - Seventh SAF Games in Madras: Gold: 16, Silver: 25, Bronze: 54

1999 - Eighth SAF Games in Kathmandu: Gold: 16, Silver: 62, Bronze: 42

2004 - Ninth SAF Games in Islamabad: Pakistan:Gold: 15, Silver: 33, Bronze: 57