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Five Sports Ministers as VVIPs

SA GAMES: Only 18 days to go for the South Asian version of Olympics - the 10th South Asian Games, to be hosted by Sri Lanka. The eight-nation Games will be the biggest ever multi-sport event to be hosted by Sri Lanka. Through this countdown series, the Daily News will have a closer look at the South Asian Games, its history, local preparations and our medal prospects.

Five Sports Ministers from South Asian Countries have confirmed their presence in Colombo as VVIPs. An official of the NOC of Sri Lanka said Sports Ministers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives have already confirmed that they would be attending the Colombo 2006 Games due to commence on August 18.

Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Jeewan Kumaranatunga has already invited his counterparts from the seven countries for the up coming Games. The Sports Ministers of India and Afghanistan are yet to confirm their participation.

In order to assure the safety of the VVIPs and over 2,000 sportsmen and women who will be participating at the Games, a special security program would be implemented with the support of Sri Lanka Police and Security Forces.

Meanwhile, the Games organisers are still looking for prospective sponsors. Despite a huge Rs. 70 million sponsorship, which include Rs.20 million on telecommunication services for the Games, from Sri Lanka Telecom, the Finance and Sponsorship Sub-committee has been working hard to tap a few more last minute sponsors to reduce the Government's burden.

The sub committee, headed by Nalin Attygalle, has arranged a meeting with the sponsors in Colombo this evening. Going back to our segment on the history of the South Asian Games, today, let us recall memories of the 8th SA Games in Nepal.

Fifteen years since their inaugural show as the hosts, the SA

Games came to Nepal once again when the eighth edition was worked off in Katmandu from September 25 to October 4, 1999.

As the number of disciplines went up to 12, India won a record 197 medals out of which 102 were gold. Hosts Nepal had their best performance to finish second with 31 gold medals while Sri Lanka were a poor third with only 16 golds. But Pakistan suffered the biggest setback in Katmandu with only ten gold medals and were placed fourth.

The track honours were shared by Sri Lanka's Damayanthi Darsha (women's 100m, 200m and 400m) and Sunita Rani (women's 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m) who bagged three gold medals each. Bangladesh's soccer dream finally came true as they emerged SA champions, beating Nepal in the final. Hosts Nepal won 14 of the 15 karate gold medals.

Except for Sri Lankan Lucky Rajasinghe's feat 50m small bore event, India won all other 15 men's shooting finals.

Millet Nasha won a record six gold medals for India in women's swimming while her team mates Senthil Kumar and Deepak Singh bagged two gold medals each in men's events.

After making a clean sweep in weightlifting winning all eight gold medals, India also emerged champions in both men's and women's volleyball.

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