261 competitors at SA Games in Dhaka

by Leslie FERNANDO

SOUTH ASIAN GAMES: A total number of 261 competitors will compete in 23 disciplines and 67 officials will accompany the Sri Lanka contingent (altogether 328 members) for the 11th edition of the South Asian Games to be held from January 29 to February 8 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Bandula Dahanayake, Director General of Sports said all team lists are finalised and all Sports Associations together with Ministry co-ordinating officials are paying attention on their training programmes in preparation for the games.

Dr. Lal Ekanayake.

Dahanayake added that at the 11th SAG pattern of play in cricket will be Twenty20 and only five nations - Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal will play in the tournament. Cricket is included for the first time at the games.

The disciplines and the number of participants - Athletics (22 men, 12 women), Swimming (6 men, 6 women), Boxing (6 men), Karate (6 men, 4 women), Taekwondo (6 men, 4 women) Weightlifting (6 men) Badminton (6 men, 6 women), Squash (4 men), Judo (5 men), Wushu (6 men, 4 women), Archery (4 men, 4 women), Wrestling (5 men), Table Tennis (5 men, 5 women), Golf (4 men), Cycling (4 men, 4 women), Shooting (6 men, 4 women), Cricket (14), Volleyball (10 men), Kabaddi (10 men, 10 women), Hockey (15 men), Basketball (9 men) handball (9 men), Football (30 men),Judo(10 men and 10 women). Dahanayake said that the Asian Olympic Committee which met in Dhaka also decided to include Womens Cycling for the Games. The committee also took steps to increase events in some disciplines.

Deva Henry, Vice-President, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and Nishantha Piyasena, Assistant Secretary NCC represented Sri Lanka at the executive committee meeting in Dhaka.

It would be a great advantage for Sri Lanka with the inclusion of Women's Cycling in 2006 at Colombo Games, our women cyclists Ayesha Sumanaweera, the daughter of Sri Lanka's ace rider late A.M. Sumanaweera and U.D. Sriyalatha won gold medals in the 60 Km and 20 Km cycling events and both are expected to retain both titles in Dhaka. Earlier, only men's cycling was included for the 11th SAG.

In athletics two more events have been included - men's Javelin Throw and Discus Throw. Five additional weight classes have been included in Boxing from 64 Kg and upwards.

Women Judokas will have the chance to compete in two more events 52 Kg and under and 63 Kg under. Women's Karate increased with 5 more events in individual and team events.

The Swimmers will have the opportunity to swim in two extra events in 400 metres freestyle and 100 metres butterfly.

The Weightlifting additional events will be 69 Kg and 85 Kg over.

Good mentality is a must

Dr. Lal Ekanayake "You can't win competitions by just taking vitamins and other medicines! But good mentality is a must," said Dr. Lal Ekanayake of Sports Medicine Unit of the Department of Sports Development.

"It is important to face all medical tests well before the events. Don't wait till the end, get an appointment and send the competitors for tests. You need to have these tests done despite how much you train". Dr. Ekanayake added.

Julian Bolling - the champion swimmer with 14 gold medals. 1984 to 1991

Dr. Ekananyake added that officials of Sports Associations and Ministry coordinating officials should pay attention to curing and preventing injuries. 'Come straight to the Sports Medicine Unit and get the injuries attended to,' he said.

At present most of the competitors consume all kinds of energy giving drinks learnt from the internet. That in addition to the vitamins and other medicines prescribed to them. By doing so the competitors think they can easily win competitions.

This is a tragedy, by doing so, the competitors may get all kind of diseases, lose one's energy and finally lose one's life. Everyone should be aware of this!

With all the training and comsumpion of vitamins and nutritious food, the competitors also need to have a good mental state of mind - only then can a person win. We are not rich in this aspect, but let's make use of what we have. We need an awareness programme for this.

Dr. Ekanayake said that they have started naming doctors for various sports. If you have doctors in the sports associations, inform the Sports Medicine Unit. Then we can help you. The intake of vitamins is according to one's weight. You don't have to pay for any of this. Dr. Lal Ekanayake of Sports Medicine Unit aired these views during the meeting with the sports officials.

What is the secret of all sportsmen and women, officials and all others connected to sports to get good results from their work? Anyone can learn a lot from talks given by Sports officer K.P. Gunapala. During the 10th South Asian Games held in Colombo this programme was very effective, remarked Dr. Ekanayake.

4th SA Games - Islamabed

Pakistan marked their place in the South Asian sporting map by becoming the hosts of the Fourth Games in Islamabad from October 20 to 27 in 1989.

The number of disciplines went on to ten. For the first time ever Pakistan gave India a close run, though the latter maintained their supremacy with 61 golds while the hosts had 42. Pakistan lived up to expectations in athletics and broke the Indian dominance for the first time in the game's history. Pakistan won 11 golds while India were a close second with nine in the final athletic standings. Ghulam Abbas of Pakistan was a champion hurdler who walked away with both the men's 110 metres and 400 metres hurdle titles. The valuable home spectator support inspired Pakistan sportsmen and sportswomen to challenge the Indians and Sri Lankans in most of the events. But the Indians were simply well trained as they won nine of the ten women's athletic gold medals. But in boxing, Pakistan bagged 10 of the 12 final bouts. Having won the soccer gold in two successive previous games, India had to be satisfied with the bronze at the Islamabad Games. As expected, Pakistan were crowned SAF football champions with a good win over Bangladesh.

Golden boy Julian Bolling once again kept the Sri Lanka flag flying high in Islamabad by retaining all three of his previous titles 200 metres freestyle (2.05.24 secs), 400 metres freestyle (4.31.96 secs) 400 metres individual medley (5.13.98 secs).

In addition, Julian won his fourth gold medal in men's 1,500 metres freestyle (18.13.53 secs). He won 2 gold in First Games in Nepal, missed the second games, but at third Games in 1987 in Calcutta, won 3 gold and altogether 9 gold medal upto 1989. Julian also won five gold medals in 1991 in Colombo SAF Games to become the highest gold medal winner with 14 - a fine feat. Julian won four golds in Islamabad while two athletes - V.K.L. Samarasinghe won the gold in men's marathon event (2.19.47 secs) and V.P. Amarasekera a gold in the womens javelin throw (53.06 metres).

Team medals tally

India continued to dominate at the 4th SAF Games taking the top spot with 61 gold, 43 silver, 31 bronze total 124 medals (first), Pakistan secured second position winning 42 gold, 33 silver and 22 bronze total 97 medals, Sri Lanka were placed third as in the 3rd SAF Games in 1987 at Calcutta winning 6 gold, 10 silver, 21 bronze total 37 medals. Nepal one gold, 13 silver, 32 bronze total 46 - fourth. Bangladesh - one gold, 12 silver, 24 bronze total 37 - fifth. Bhutan 0 gold, 0 silver, 3 bronze to be sixth while Maldives failed to win a single medal for the third time. Maldives have won only a bronze medal in the inaugural games held in Kathmandu in 1984.

(More on other games next week)