SA Games-2010

11th sa games DHAKA, Jan. 29, 2010 A grand ceremony, showing rich culture and heritage of Bangladesh as well as the latest innovations of aquatic, is all set to be staged to mark the opening of the 11th South Asian (SA) Games scheduled to commence from Jan. 29 in Dhaka.

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total

1 India 11 1 5 17
2 Pakistan 6 8 2 16
3 Sri Lanka 2 8 3 13
4 Bangladesh 1 3 7 11
5 Afghanistan 0 0 5 5
6 Nepal 0 0 5 5
7 Bhutan 0 0 0 0
8 Maldives 0 0 0 0

A large number of activities to celebrate the South Asian Games have already been held in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and other co-host cities of the South Asian country.

Organizers are now adding the final touches and gearing up entire gamut of preparations to welcome nearly 4,000 players, officials and other guests from eight participating countries including host Bangladesh.

Around 2,800 players from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lank will compete in the mega sports event of South Asia region, which is scheduled to take place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9 this year.

There are 23 official sports for the 11th SA Games. For the first time, Twenty20 cricket will be included in the games. All of the eight participating nations will send under-21 teams for the cricket tournament.

The convener of the SA Games Ceremonies Committee Major General (retired.) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury told Xinhua on Thursday, “We’re ready to host a gala opening for a lasting impression in the mind of not only the people of Bangladesh but also the people of the sub-continent.”

He expressed the hope that the aquatic show will take the opening ceremony to a new height as it is a new dimension in the sub-continent. “We’ve also completed preparations to host a 15 minute intense fireworks display in the closing ceremony.”

Amin said Bangladeshis Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the games as chief guest while the president of Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah is to be present as special guest.

Over 11,800 school students, 1,300 Ansars, 1000 Army men will be presenting their delightful shows in the opening ceremony, he said adding highly experienced Chinese and French choreographers are extending all required supports to local performers to curve out a splendid show.

General Abdul Mubeen, President of South Asian Olympic Council ( SAOC) and Bangladesh Olympic Association, had earlier said, “We’re keen to host the spectacle in a manner that spreads the fraternity and strengthens the existing relationship among the participating countries.”

However, renovation works at different venues and the construction of the wooden-floor gymnasium, boxing stadium and handball stadium have already been completed.

The final dress rehearsal before the opening ceremony held Wednesday amid high enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the BOA received the torch of the 11th SA Games, lighted for the first time at the Adam Peak in Colombo, at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) in Dhaka Wednesday.

The torch will be used to light the newly constructed cauldron at the BNS, which is the main venue of the 11th SA Games in Bangladesh. The 40-foot cauldron is based on a 60-feet frame, with entire structure built with about 250 tons of steel.

The 39th executive meeting of SAOC held in Nepali capital Kathmandu in February, 2009 decided that the 11th SA Games will be held from Jan. 29 in Bangladesh.

The meeting also decided to include eight more games in the 11th edition of SA Games. They are badminton, basketball, cricket, judo, volleyball, wrestling, golf and cycling.

Besides the eight newly added games, other 15 games of the grand sports event are athletics, archery, boxing, football, hockey, handball, kabaddi, karate, swimming, shooting, squash, Taekwondo, table tennis, Wushu and weightlifting.

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