A Indian delegation from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Friday assured proper hospitality and security to the teams participating in the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) scheduled for February 5-16 in Guwahati and Shillong.

A four-member Indian delegation comprising of MP Vincent Hermelinda Pala, SA Games Organising Committee CEO RK Sharma, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports AK Singh, and Hockey India Secretary Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad met top Nepali sports officials including Minister for Youth and Sports Satya Narayan Mandal on Friday. “The primary objective of our visit is to promote ‘peace, progress and prosperity’ through the South Asian Games,” said Pala during a press meet.

“We met will prominent sports figures of Nepal and requested them to come up with maximum participants during the SA Games. Minister Mandal has assured that he will be present in both opening and closing ceremony,” informed Pala. Guwahati will host both the opening and closing ceremonies. 

“We were indebted that Nepal is entering in all 23 disciplines including in the Games,” added Pala.” Pala also said proper care has been taken to address hospitality and security during the Games. 

The National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshav Kumar Bista quashed doubts over Nepal’s participation in the regional games. “Even if we have not received the preparation budget in time, we can guarantee you of our participation,” said Bista adding that the ongoing ‘unofficial Indian blockade’ has added more woes to their preparations but still hoped for better showing in the Games. 

The SA Games features 228 events in 23 sports disciplines. Apart from Nepal and India, only Sri Lanka have entered in all 23 sports disciplines. The Indian delegation also confirmed the number of participant from each of the eight participating nations. Nepal will field 211 players in men’s and 187 in women’s event, while India have the largest contingent with 275 players in the men’s and 244 in women’s events.

Guwahati will play host to 16 disciplines: athletics, basketball, volleyball, swimming, triathlon, hockey, weightlifting, wrestling, squash, shooting, kho kho, kabaddi, handball, cycling and tennis. Shillong will host archery, badminton, boxing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo and wushu.