Road to South Asian Games 2019

by Haritha Perera

The 13th South Asian Games 2019 will be held in Nepal from the 01st to the 10th of December.It has been postponed many times for various reasons, but it is now safe to assume that the Regional Multi Sports Festival will be hosted by the Buddhist majority nation for the 03rd time.

Bangladesh & India have also hosted these Games 03 times in the past. India have hosted the Athletes of South Asia in 03 different states – the only country capable of doing so in the past.Having hosted the Commonwealth Games as well as the Asian Games before that, the South Asian Superpower Nation has been the flag bearer of these games throughout the last 12 meetings.

It all commenced in 1984 as the South Asian Federation Games in Kathmandu, hosted by Nepal.Dhaka, Bangladesh ( 1985 ), Calcutta, India ( 1987 ), Islamabad, Pakistan ( 1989 ) & Colombo, Sri Lanka ( 1991 )  were given the opportunity of hosting the Regional Multi Sports showpiece in the first round, comprising 07 Nations which also included the Rooftop of the World – Bhutan & the Atoll

of the Maldives.The second round saw Dhaka, Bangladesh ( 1993 ), Madras, India ( 1995 ), Kathmandu,Nepal ( 1999 ), Islamabad, Pakistan ( 2004 ) & Colombo, Sri Lanka ( 2006 ) hosting the South Asian Games with Afghanistan also included – participation increased to 08 Nations. Afghanistan, Bhutan & Maldives have not hosted these Games & do not seem capable of doing so either.

In the past 27 Sports have been contested. This year Paragliding will make it’s debut with Cricket making a comeback after 09 years. Golf & Karate have been included as the choice of the host nation. 28 Sports have been lined up for the 13th South Asian Games 2019 to be held in the capital city of Kathmandu & the hill city of Pokhara in Nepal.

The all time medals table is simply dominated by India. Arch rivals Pakistan are behind them. Sri Lanka is lying third while hosts, Nepal occupy the position below that. Wooden spoonists, Maldives are yet to win a Gold Medal despite participating in all 12 previous meetings.

India  –        1100 Gold     651 Silver     345 Bronze     2086 Total

Pakistan  –    329   do      417    do       398    do          1151   do

Sri Lanka  –   220   do      361    do       562    do          1143   do

Nepal  –           79   do      122    do       272    do           473   do

Nepal which experienced a devastating earthquake not so long ago, is still completing some of the infrastructure facilities with affordable upgrades. With Cricket one of the sports disciplines involved the host nation will have so much to accomplish after regaining ICC membership only yesterday, which was suspended earlier.

The simmering decades old conflict between India & Pakistan is of concern for the other countries in the South Asian region, but hopefully all Heads of Nations are expected to be invited & be present at the Opening Ceremony. The weather will play a major role in the conducting of the outdoor events & performances of competitors in individual events.

This is the first level of International Competition for the Athletes of one of the economically poorest regions of the globe. The ambitions of young hopefuls aspiring to make a better living for themselves as budding athletes will be afforded a major boost as they compete at these games. PEACE  PROSPERITY  &  PROGRESS  is the motto of the South Asian Games. Although the actual ground situation of the participating nations may not be exactly the same, let a level field be made available for everyone who have toiled hard to prepare for the event. They say that Sports is a great Leveller. Let it be so. Let the Games begin.