Inaugural South Asian Beach Games :

Hambantota will host 12 sports

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Hambantota will welcome more than 400 sportsmen and women from eight South Asian countries when the inaugural South Asian Beach Games from October 8 to 14. A media briefing was held yesterday at the Media Ministry Auditorium to reveal the progress of the construction and organization affairs regarding the first ever South Asian Beach Games.

There will be 12 beach sports namely basketball, football, handball, kabaddi, netball, volleyball, body building, equestrian, life saving, wind surfing and tritholan lined up for the mega event. The highest participation is expected from India.

Media Ministry Secretary W. B. Ganegala said that the event will be a totally new experience for Sri Lanka and will help to popularize the good name of the country in the region. Sports ministry and National Olympic Committee have drawn plans to conduct the event to the highest international standard and Ganegala appreciated the enormous support rendered by many other Government Departments.

“This event will be a good prelude for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and we are working hard to make it a success as it will have a great impact on 2018 big event’s bid when the voting for the Commonwealth Games bid take place on November 11,” said the Beach Games project Director Elmo Perera. Sports Ministry Secretary Udaya Seneviratne said that the construction work of the venue for the Beach Games commenced on May 22 and will be completed within another two weeks time. He thanked SL Army, Road development Authority, Urban Development Authority and Prison Department for contributing.

“We have saved a great amount of money due to their support and construction work is continuing round the clock,” as the delegation of the member countries will be here to inspect the venue on September 22,” said Sports Ministry Secretary.

Special arrangements will make to facilitate foreign and local Media personnel to cover the event and 40-50 foreign journalists are expected to be here. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony while the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.