12th
South Asian Games are to be held in Guwahati & Shillong from 5th
Feb, 2016 to 16-Feb-2016 and will be the biggest sporting extravaganza ever held
in the North East India and the 1st ever gender equal South Asian
Games with men & women participation in all the sports. The Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Games on 5th February 2016 at
Guwahati in a glittering ceremony. For conduct of the games an organizing
committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal,
Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (I/C) Government of
India and Shri N. Ramachandran President Indian Olympic Association as co -
chairman.
SAARC
nations namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be participating in the games. SAARC nations
comprise 21% of the world's total population and around 9.12% of Global
economy. SAARC is a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a
spirit of friendship, trust and understanding so as to achieve lasting peace
and prosperity of its member nations. South Asian Games play a vital role in
achieving this objective.
228
events in 23 Sports disciplines will be played during the games. Total No. of
medals for medal tally – 228 Gold, 228 Silver and 308 Bronze medals. 16
Sports Disciplines will be played at Guwahati – Athletics, Basketball,
Volleyball, Swimming, Triathlon, Hockey, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Squash,
Shooting, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, Cycling and Tennis. 7 Sports Disciplines
will be played at Shillong – Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Judo, Table Tennis,
Taekwondo, Wushu. Men Football will be played at Guwahati and Women football at
Shillong.
The
participation of athletes and officials from various countries is given below.
Around 100 representatives of International Media are expected to cover the
event on the spot.
|
Country
|
Men - No. of Disciplines/ No. of Athletes
|
Women - No. of Disciplines/ No. of Athletes
|
No. of Officials (Men)
|
No. of Officials (Women)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Afghanistan
|
16 (102)
|
10 (49)
|
61
|
2
|
214
|
|
Bangladesh
|
22 (223)
|
18 (147)
|
99
|
10
|
479
|
|
Bhutan
|
9 (58)
|
7 (27)
|
29
|
4
|
118
|
|
India
|
23 (276)
|
23 (245)
|
114
|
68
|
703
|
|
Maldives
|
9 (72)
|
9 (79)
|
38
|
19
|
208
|
|
Nepal
|
22 (190)
|
23 (191)
|
90
|
14
|
485
|
|
Pakistan
|
21(205)
|
19 (141)
|
104
|
25
|
471
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
23 (251)
|
23 (226)
|
152
|
22
|
651
|
|
Total
|
1377
|
1105
|
687
|
164
|
3333
|
The
Union Secretary of Sports, Shri Rajiv Yadav has said, games logo symbolizes
peace, progress & prosperity in the region. It consists of 8 petals
representing the 8 countries participating in the Games. Colors of petals are
from the flags of the 8 countries. Mascot “TIKHOR” a Baby
rhino is Sharp, Naughty, Sporty & Modern. He is a Motivator, friend and messenger
of peace, progress & prosperity. The theme song is ‘Ei
Prithibi Ekhon Krirangon, Krira Hol Shantir Prangon’ sung by the world
famous musician late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. It means that the whole world is a
playground and sports is a symbol of peace. The song is being translated in
official languages of all SAARC nations and will be sung in each of these
languages.
Games Secretariat has 16 Functional Areas. Arrangements
are being made for ease of accreditation, arrival, departure, comfortable stay,
security, medical facilities and transport arrangements, etc. A glittering
opening ceremony has been planned for 5th February 2016 in Guwahati and
a separate ceremony will also be held in Shillong on 6th February
2016 for athletes participating in Shillong.
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AD/ASB