South Asian games: Increases to 20 disciplines

by Leslie Fernando

The 10th edition of the South Asian Games is the largest in terms of number of events. This time there are 20 disciplines. When the first South Asian Federation Games were organised in 1984 at Kathmandu, Nepal there were only five events - (athletics, swimming, volleyball, soccer and boxing).

The games will be held for the second time in Sri Lanka from August 18 to 28 with 2,500 competitors including the officials from eight countries in the competition. It will provide a carnival atmosphere.

The ten-day competition will undoubtedly help develop and strengthen the relationship through sport with the participation of sportsmen and sportswomen in and around the region.

The South Asian Games saga has been that of total Indian dominance. The Indians came for slight shaking up only at Colombo (1991) and Islamabad (2004) editions. Even though the Indians are expected to ride high over their opponents this time too, the other teams primarily Pakistan and Sri Lanka are showing signs of emerging from the shadows.

Disciplines

The SAG opening ceremony will be held on August 18 at 4 p. m. at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The opening ceremony will be a riot of colour with the cultural events that are to be held as part of the ceremony. However, soccer matches will begin on August 16 with the opening match between host Sri Lanka and Nepal followed with the other matches, from August 17. On the day of the opening ceremony, badminton and table tennis matches will also be played. Closing ceremony will be held on August 28 from 4 p. m.

The disciplines, venues and dates for the 10th South Asian Games are as follows: Athletics at Sugathadasa Stadium - August 24 to 27, Soccer at Sugathadasa Stadium from August 16 to 23, Swimming at Sugathadasa Stadium swimming pool August 19 to 25, Volleyball at Sugathadasa Stadium Indoor Stadium August 23 to 27, Badminton Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium August 16 to 22, Boxing at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium August 19 to 22, Karate at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium August 23 to 27, Rowing at Bolgoda Lake August 19 to 21, Table Tennis at S. Thomas' College Indoor Stadium, Mt. Lavinia August 18 to 23, Hockey at Nandamithra Stadium, Matale August 21 to 25, Judo at S. Thomas' College Indoor Stadium August 25 to 27, Kabaddi at National Youth Service Council at Maharagama August 19 to 26, Wrestling at University of Colombo August 24 to 26, Taekwondo at St. Joseph's College Indoor Sports Complex at Darley road August 24 to 27, Rifle Shooting Sri Lanka Navy Sports Complex at Welisara August 19 to 26, Archery at the Gyhkahana Club (CH & FC) August 23 to 26, Squash at CH & FC Indoor Stadium August 19 to 22, Weightlifting at University of Colombo August 19 to 22, Wushu at St. Joseph's College Indoor Sports Complex August 19 to 22, Cycling around Viharamahadevi Park, Moratuwa and Colombo to Kurunegala and back.

The total number of medals to be won are 1,370 (417 gold, 417 silver and 536 bronze).

At the last South Asian Federation Games held in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2004, India came on top with 191 medals (101 gold, 59 silver, 31 bronze), Pakistan in second position with 147 medals (42 gold, 55 silver, 50 bronze), Sri Lanka was placed third with 105 medals (15 gold, 33 silver, 57 bronze), Bangladesh fourth with 40 medals (3 gold, 11 silver, 26 bronze), Nepal came in fifth with 34 medals (7 gold, 6 silver, 21 bronze), Afghanistan placed sixth place with 33 medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 28 bronze), Bhutan in seventh position with 6 medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), Maldives did not win a single medal.

A senior official of the South Asian Games organising committee said that one would not hesitate to say that Sri Lanka has the experience and expertise to stage a multi-sports festival of this nature but we should not undermine the challenges ahead of us.

Though we did it before, we must remember we are now in 2006 only 65 days away from hosting the event. The passage of time has brought about changes in the technical as well as the organisational aspects of these sports events has made the task more complexed but with the ever willing co-operation of the South Asia Olympic Council coupled with the dedicated and devoted sports-loving officials of the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, it will be truly memorable and meaningful event to be cherished by all.

Some of the controlling bodies are yet to name their final squads for 20 disciplines. It is understood that by end of June everything will be in order, naming the competitors for the games. Who will be the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent at the 10th South Asian Games? The overall captaincy should be given to a competitor who has achieved great success at international level and brought honour to the country.

The South Asian Games Organising Committee of Sri Lanka has their minds on five competitors in Susanthika Jayasinghe, Olympic medallist, Chinthaka Vidanage, a gold medallist in Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, Damayanthi Darsha, gold medallist at Asian Games, Rohan Pradeep Perera and Prasanna Ameraskera, both gold medallists at Asian Games in naming as the overall captain.

According to certain Presidents of controlling bodies either Susanthika Jayasinghe or Damayanthi Darsha should be named as the overall captain at this historic event because both are in their prime and due to 'hang their spikes'.

The other view is that the young weightlifter Chinthaka Vidanage, the gold medallist should also taken into consideration as both Susanthika and Darsha have had the opportunity of being the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent at different international events.

It is a signal honour to lead the Sri Lanka contingent on this occasion and it is the responsibility of the Organising Committee of the South Asian Games (Sri Lanka) said a senior National Olympic Committee Member.

At the 1991 South Asian Federation Games held in Sri Lanka, Col. Daya Rajasinghe was the overall captain. Two former star-class athletes W. Wimaladasa and K. G. Badra lit the game's torch in 1991.