History of South Asian Federation Games

by Janani Amarasekera

We are just 12 days away from the commencement of the 10th South Asian Games, to be hosted by Sri Lanka, after 15 years. The eight-nation sports event, which can also be called as the South Asian Olympics, is the biggest event to be hosted by Sri Lanka.

Today through our Sports track page, let's take a closer look at this multi-sports event. The South Asian Federation Games (SAF Games) was inaugurated in 1983 with the participation of seven countries (excluding Afghanistan) in the region, in Nepal. The aim of forming a sports body for the region was in order to revive the standard of sports among these nations.

It had been the pioneering effort of Sharad Chandra Shah, who created this organisation. It was officially announced after the meeting of the Presidents of the National Olympic Committees of the South Asian Nations, held in New Delhi in 1981. Initially, it was planned as an annual event but due to various reasons, it did not become a success.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the countries that has got together for this sporting event, with Afghanistan becoming the newest member.

Hosting countries for these games were chosen in the alphabetical order, but however, as Bangladesh couldn't host the event in 1983, Nepal volunteered to host the games in 1984.

This year, the SAF Games are to be held from August 18 onwards in our country.

The athletic team from our island nation has already been finalised, and includes famous athletes such as, Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sugath Thilakaratne, and Rohan Pradeep Kumara.

It was in 2005, that the games were scheduled to be held, but due to the fact that Sri Lanka and some other Asian countries were heavily hit by the tsunami, it was postponed for this year.

We give some interesting facts and figures connected with SAF Games which would prove useful to sports fans.

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Venues of the SAF Games

1984 - Kathmandu - Nepal

1985 - Dhaka - Bangladesh

1987 - Calcutta - India

1989 - Islamabad - Pakistan

1991 - Colombo - Sri Lanka

1993 - Dhaka - Bangladesh

1995 - Chennai - India

1999 - Kathmandu - Nepal

2004 - Islamabad, Pakistan

2006 - Colombo - Sri Lanka

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* Significant facts in history upto 1995

Most Medals

(Men's)

10 Medals

Mohamed Shah Alam Bangladesh (1985-1989)

S. S. A. Dissanayake Sri Lanka (1989-1995)

(Women's)

20 Medals

Shiny Wilson India (1984-1995)

* Most Gold Medals at a single championship - 5 Golds PT Usha India Calcutta 1987 (200M, 400M, 400M Hur, 4X100M, 4X400M)

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Special coins for 1991 SAF Games

Two commemorative coins were issued by the Central Bank of Ceylon in December 1991, for SAF Games, when Sri Lanka hosted the event. A five hundred rupee gold proof coin was issued together with a one hundred rupee silver proof coin.

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Denominations Rs. 500 Rs. 100

Alloy Gold (500 Au) Silver (0.925 Ag)

Diameter 14.0 mm 22.2 / 29.4 mm

Thickness 0.95 mm 2.6 mm

Weight 1.6 g 10.2 g

Shape round Square with curved edge

Edge Plain Plain

Die axis 0 0

Proof 8000 20,000

Mint Royal, Wales Royal, Wales

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Track and Field Medals Table

* Medal standing (1984-1985)

Gold Silver Bronze

India 122 121 59

Sri Lanka 48 40 60

Pakistan 31 29 43

Bangladesh 7 15 35

Nepal 4 7 15

* Most records

7 records, Bahadur Parasad, India (1989-1995) - (Men's)

1500M - 1993, 1995

5000M - 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995

10,000M - 1993.

11 Records, Shiny Wilson, India (1984-1995) (Women's)

200 M - 1985

400 M - 1995

800 M - 1989, 1993, 1995

4 X 100 M - 1985

4 X 400 M - 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995.