President Mahinda Rajapaksa declares open Rs. 1,000 million mega SA Games on Aug. 18

By Leslie Fernando

Twenty disciplines and two thousand sportspersons in fray against an uneven spread of talent may sound a bit far-fetched, but when President Mahinda Rajapaksa formally declares open the Rs. 1,000 million, 10th edition of the South Asian Games on August 18 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, put the country on the international sports map for the second time. Sri Lanka hosted the Games 15 years ago in 1991. "But this mega event will be the biggest and best games ever held," said Hemasiri Fernando, Chairman, National Olympic Committee.

In the 20 disciplines there will be 1,370 medals to be won - 417 Gold, 417 Silver and 536 Bronze medals to be won.

NOC chief Fernando said that the 10th SAG staged in Sri Lanka for the second time is unique due to various reasons, the Games will see the highest number of events, highest number of competitors (2,000 competitors, 1,000 officials, foreign media personnel 500 and 1,000 volunteers), nine venues for 20 disciplines and shifting of rowing events from Beira Lake to Bolgoda Lake, hockey from Colombo to Matale, shooting to Welisara Navy Camp. It is also the first time that five sports disciplines i.e. Archery, Wushu, Cycling, Judo and Hockey are conducted here in an SAG. When the first SAF Games was organised in 1984, there were only five events. For these and various other reasons the 10th SAG will be unique.

Fernando thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Government has pumped in over Rs. 600 million for the Games, considering it as a national cause. He also thanked Sri Lanka Telecom for coming forward as the principal sponsor and also paid a tribute to the other sponsors.

He added that for the first time a gold plated glittering Sri Lanka Telecom Challenge Trophy will be on offer to the country which bags the most number of gold medals at the 10th SAG.

The spectacular opening ceremony will be riot of colour. There will be country's historical events, cultural shows, bands from tri-forces and schools and stage traditional dancing. The fireworks display will entirely be sponsored by Chinese Government.

Jeewan Kumaratunga, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports said that organising work of the Games are going on very well and that they have tackled all major problems. The Sports Ministry have provided all facilities to the controlling bodies, provided necessary equipment, nutritions to the players arranged tours for foreign teams so it is up to the players to perform well added the Minister.

S. Virittamulla, Secretary Sports Ministry said that they have had several workshops and seminars for coaches, officials, judges in preparation for the South Asian Games and they have been very successful."

We had to look at various issues in a realistic manner. We have now got into progressive path." Virittamulla added that the Sports Ministry has given all necessary support and encouragement for those who are involved in the Games as competitors, officials and organisers.

Eight countries

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka will be take part. The scenario about the expected dominance of the competitions in 20 disciplines football, athletics, badminton, volleyball, karate, boxing, table tennis, judo, squash, archery, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, taekwondo, rowing, cycling, swimming, shooting, kabaddi, hockey by India who has hosted the games twice in 1985 and 1995 is no different.

The South Asian Games Saga has been that of Indian dominance.

That unhindered Indian leadership came for slight threat only at 1991 Colombo SAF Games and Islamabad edition in 1989. Even though the Indians are expected to ride high over their opponents this time too, Sri Lanka, on home soil and Pakistan are showing signs of emerging from the shadows.

Whether the competitions are going to be world class or not is not the question but can rest be assured that facilities and other sporting accessories available to the participants will be nothing short of international standard.

Susanthika Jayasinghe, Bronze Medallist at Olympics games, will be the Sri Lanka overall captain. Sunil Jayaweera is Sri Lanka's chef-demission Jayaweera is a senior athletic coach, official, ex-president SL Athletic Association. He has also functioned as the Chairman NYSC, Maharagama and was the Director of Sports, Education Department.

Nagalingam Ethirveerasingham, Asian Games Gold Medallist and Susanthika Jayasinghe will light the Olympic Torch.

At the 2004 ninth SAF Games in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sri Lanka won 15 Gold, 33 Silver and 57 Bronze.

The question asked is whether Sri Lanka as the host of the 10th edition would fare well. But it would be an uphill task for any nation to beat the Asian sporting giants India from dominating in Colombo.

Sheiak Ahamed Al-Fahad, the President of the Asian Olympic Council and OPEC will be the gust of honour at the opening ceremony on August 18.