Seven chef de missions arrive in Sri Lanka

Countdown to the South Asian Games with Dinesh Weerawansa

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 20-discipline 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.

Chef de missions of seven countries that are taking part at the 10th South Asian Games arrived in Sri Lanka for a pre-Games meeting with the organisers of the eight-nation Games.

The chef de missions from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan, joined by their Sri Lankan counterpart, had their first meeting on Friday.

Speaking at the meeting Sri Lanka NOC chief, Hemasiri Fernando assured the touring contingents a memorable stay in Sri Lanka.

"We have not embarked on major development of new infrastructure facilities. But we have redeveloped the venues to meet the international standards. In addition, we have constructed a new international class shooting range. I can assure you a memorable ten days in Sri Lanka," he said.

Some of the visiting chef de missions visited the Games venues to have first-hand information.

They have expressed satisfaction on the progress Sri Lanka has made as the host nation and have expressed confidence that the tenth edition of the Games would be a big success.

Going back to our segment on the history of the South Asian Games, we will recall memories of the 7th SA Games in India. From 1987 Calcutta, the SA Games came to Madras in 1995. The Tamil Nadu capital hosted the 7th SAF Games from December 18 to 27, 1995. For the first time ever, India increased to its gold tally over a century.

They bagged a total of 106 gold medals, 60 silver and 19 bronze to be the proud hosts while Sri Lanka finish second, but with just 16 gold medals.

India won 21 athletic gold medals while Sri Lanka secured 11. Bahadur Prasad of India (1,500m and 5,000m) and Mahesh Perera (110m and 400m hurdles) won a double each in men's athletic events. In women's events, Sri Lanka's Susanthika Jayasinghe (11.34 in 100m and 22.95 in 200m) and India's Shiny Wilson (52.12 in 400m and 1:59.85 in 800m) won a double each.

India won team sport gold medals in basketball, soccer, hockey, kabbadi and volleyball (both men's and women's).

In men's shooting, India won 15 of the 20 finals while Bangladesh bagged gold medals in the remaining. But the honours were shared in women's shooting with India and Sri Lanka on equal terms - five golds each and five silver medals each.

The Indians were unstoppable in swimming. They showed no mercy in maintaining total dominance to secure 15 of the 16 finals. India also won all seven gold medals presented in table tennis as well as all seven tennis titles.