A showcase for SAARC unity

THEY say that sport is a great leveller. Sport knows no boundaries. It binds mankind together as no other force possibly can. And what matters is how you play the game, not whether you win or lose. It was with this spirit in the air that nearly 3,000 athletes from South Asia gathered in Colombo to participate in the 10th South Asian Games (SAG) from August 18 to 28.

The SAG was an ideal showcase for exemplifying the unity of South Asia, one of the most populous regions in the world. There was fierce competition, but a spirit of camaraderie pervaded throughout the Games to the extent that not one dispute was reported. The arrangements were excellent all around and there is no doubt that all the foreign participants enjoyed Sri Lankans' warm hospitality. The local crowds were sporting too - they cheered for Sri Lanka, but heartily acknowledged the victories of other participating nations.

The Government gave its fullest backing to the sports bodies to conduct the Games, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and senior ministers taking a keen interest. As President Rajapaksa pointed out to the SAG delegations, the SAG has transcended the traditional role of sports and consolidated the strong bonds among the region's countries.

The Security Forces too extended their maximum cooperation to conduct the Games without a hitch, given the security environment in the country. All those who helped make the SAG an outstanding success deserve plaudits.

The Games will be memorable for many reasons. The entry of Afghanistan to SAARC and hence, to the SAG marks a watershed in the region's sporting annals. They came virtually out of nowhere to win six golds - a very creditable achievement - and the other seven traditional SAARC members must extend all assistance to further improve sports in that country. Cricket, though not a SAG sport, is also rapidly gaining popularity in Afghanistan.

The saga of Lankan swimming prodigy Andrew Abeysinghe, who very nearly became a victim of bureaucratic bungling, was another highlight. After the Daily News highlighted his plight, President Rajapaksa intervened to allow him to compete.

This he did in style, winning two golds. The swimming feats of Mayumi Rahim were no less impressive.

Sri Lankan athletes lived up to their reputation as the best in South Asia, especially in the sprint events. Susanthika Jayasinghe's return to form (three golds) gladdened the hearts of Lankan athletics lovers. Rohan Pradeep equalled her feat on the track.

Out of the 20 disciplines, Sri Lankans won 37 golds for athletics, swimming, weightlifting, shooting, karate, taekwondo, wushu and cycling. Although this is an impressive record, it is by no means the limit of Sri Lanka's sporting prowess.

With the next Asian Games and SAG coming up, Sri Lanka should set higher standards for her herself in the sporting arena. Another beneficial result of the SAG was the wide exposure for Sri Lanka in the 34 countries that aired live transmissions of the various sporting events.

This helped counter the negative publicity generated mainly by the Western media in the context of the current security situation. Within Sri Lanka, where cricket reigns supreme, the Games also highlighted the rapid progress made by other less well known sports. Hopefully, this will attract more crowds - and funds - to these sports.

There are many critics who argue that SAARC has not made much headway since its inception in 1985. The SAG offered proof that at least in the realm of sports, SAARC embodies the true spirit in which it was founded. The SAG has in fact laid a solid foundation for enhanced people-to-people contact in the region.

Political ties alone cannot sustain a regional bloc, if they are not complemented by cultural, sporting and tourism links. SAARC leaders must now maintain this forward momentum that could ultimately result in a border-free region where the people will truly be proud of their South Asian identity.

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