2010 South Asian Games

XI South Asian Games

'Kutumb' , a flying Doel, which is the national Bird of Bangladesh[1] is the official logo for the games
Host city BangladeshDhaka, Bangladesh
Nations participating 8
Athletes participating 2,000+ (estimated)
Events 23 sports
Opening ceremony 29 January
Closing ceremony 9 February
Officially opened by Sheikh Hasina
Main venue Bangabandhu National Stadium

The 2010 South Asian Games, officially the XI South Asian Games, was a major multi-sport event that took place from 29 January to 8 February 2010 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[2] This was the third time that the Bangladeshi capital hosted the Games, thus becoming the first city to hold the games three times.

Roughly 2000 athletes from 8 countries competed at the Games in 23 different sports.[3] The sporting giant of the region, India continued its dominance in the game's medal tally with a staggering 175 medals including 90 gold medals. Pakistan narrowly beat the host country in Gold medals count with 19 gold, while the host Bangladesh captured 18 golds including the regions most popular and prestigious Football and Cricket titles. Bangladesh, however, earned second spot in total medal count beating out Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s Shehan Abeypitiya becomes the fastest man while Pakistan’s Naseem Hamid was crowned the fastest woman of the region winning 100 meter sprint.

Organization

The 11th South Asian Games were originally scheduled to take place in November 2009. However, the host country (Bangladesh) faced difficulties due to general elections. As a result, the South Asian Association Council (SAOC) held the 39th Executive Meeting and decided against hosting the Games in 2009, postponing the games to early 2010.[2]

The estimated budget of the 2010 Games was about BDT 160 million (US$2.3 million).[4]

The South Asian Games Organizing Committee (SAGOC) approved the formation of 20 sub-committees[4] to look after the needs of each aspect of the Games, and also to ensure that work proceeded continuously. These sub-committees included the ceremonious committee, the co-ordination committee and the security committee.

Logo and mascot

The logo of the 11th SAF Games was 'Kutumb': a flying doel, known in English as the Oriental Magpie Robin. It is the National Bird of Bangladesh.[1] The logo was designed by Bangladeshi artist Moniruzzaman. The mascot of the games also featured a magpie robin, which was holding the torch to begin the games.

Medal tally

Key
  The host country is highlighted in lavender blue
Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1India India 905530175
2 Pakistan19253680
3 Bangladesh18235697
4 Sri Lanka163554105
5   Nepal891936
6 Afghanistan791632
7 Bhutan0235
8 Maldives0022
Total157157214528

Participating nations

Participating nations.

A total of eight countries participated in the 2010 South Asian Games.

Sports

A total of 23 sports competitions were held at the 11th SAF Games.[2]

For the first time, Twenty20 Cricket was included in the Games. All the eight participating nations sent under-21 teams for the cricket tournament.[5]

Despite early rumours that Hockey, Volleyball, Rowing and Wrestling were to be excluded from the Games, of the four only rowing did not make the final list of sports.

Incidents

Reduced marathon

Due to preparations for the closing ceremony at the National Stadium (which was the actual finishing point for marathon ) in a last moment decision, the finishing line was relocated to outside of the National Stadium. However, the distance was not properly re-calculated and, after a Nepali athlete completed the race with 12 minutes less than the world record, it was noticed that the course only measured 35 km; over 7 km less than the required distance. The results of competition were allowed to stand but the times were deemed ineligible for record purposes.[6]

Lift accident

Six Nepali athletes were slightly injured when a hotel lift crashed just hours before to the launching of the games. [7]

Cycling incident

One of the host nation's cyclists, Fatema Chingby Chakma, was disqualified as she was being pushed by an enthusiastic local motor cycle rider from behind during the cycling event at Khulna - Gopalganj.[8]

Sponsors

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National bird of Bangladesh". Virtual Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "11th South Asian Games to start in January 2010". Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  3. ↑ 11th South Asian Games concludes in Bangladesh. Xinhua (10 February 2010). Retrieved on 11 February 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Budget of 2010 SAF Games". The New Nation. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  5. ↑ "Age of T20 Cricket in 2010 SAG - under 21 teams to participate". Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  6. ↑ < http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2010-02-10/news/41334>
  7. ↑ < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8487050.stm>
  8. ↑ < http://www.newstoday-bd.com/sports.asp?newsdate=2/2/2010>

External links