India to host 12th SA Games

The North East Indian cities of Guwahati and Shillong are well prepared to host the eight-nation 12th South Asian Games, the biggest sports carnival of the region, scheduled for February 5-16.Some 4,300 athletes and officials from eight South Asian countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are expected to participate in 23 disciplines of sports for 228 gold medals. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the 12-day meet on February 5 at 30,000-capacity Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati. The 12-day SA Games, the first of its kind in the North East India and the 3rd time in India after Kolkata and Chennai, will be held in 17 venues seven in Shillong and remaining in Guwahati. Member of Indian delegation and representative of Indian Olympic Association Dr SM Bali, now in Dhaka.