By Our Reporter
After a gap of 20 years, Nepal is now hosting the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in three cities—Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur.
Earlier, Nepal had hosted the 8th edition of SAG in Kathmandu. Also Nepal had hosted the first SAG in 1984.
Nepal shouldhave hosted the 13th edition in 2018, but could not in lack of infrastructure.
President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the 13th South Asian Games amidst a dazzling display of light and sound as well as enthralling spectacles of dance, songs and fireworks at the Dasharath Stadium here on Sunday.
“I declare open 13th South Asian Games (SAG), to be played in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur,” President Bhandari said.
A host of dignitaries- Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Timalsina, Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokhrel, Minister of Youth and Sports Jagat Bahadur Vishwakarma Sunar, Member Secretary of National Sports Council Ramesh Kumar Silwal, President of South Asian Olympic Council (SOAC) and Nepal Olympic Committee Jeevan Ram Shrestha and other dignitaris from the host nation and participating SAARC nations were present at the grand inaugural ceremony held in the jam-packed Dasarath Stadium..
Stressing on the strength of the Olympic spirit, President of SAOC Shrestha welcomed all the players, officials and referees of seven participating nations. “I hope all the players make best of the opportunity available to them in this SAG.”
The athletes and officials of the seven participating nations’ team took part in a team parade with Nepal’s Olympian weightlifter Kamal Bahadur Adhikary bearing the Nepal’s flag.
The participants of seven participating nations, decked in their traditional attires, made their way into the ground amidst huge cheers from audience.
The Flame of the 13th South Asian Games was brought into the grounds by Olympian and Nepal’s first international medallist Jeet Bahadur KC and handed over it to Olympian Devu Thapa who relayed it to other Olympians, Umesh Shakya, Rajendra Bhandari, Nayana Shakya to Nepal’s legendary marathon runner Baikuntha Manandhar.
The four time Olympian Manandha passed the torch to Olympian taekwondo player Deepak Bista. The four-time SAG gold medalist Bista did the final lap and lit the flame in cauldron located at the north of the stadium.
The flag of South Asian Olympic Committee was taken to the march-past before it was hoisted. Former captain of Nepali cricket team Paras Khadka took the oath on behalf of all the participating athletes while international badminton referee Deepak Thapa took oath on behalf of all judges and referees.
The cultural show, which followed the flame lighting ceremony, was a glittering spectacle showcasing the confluence of the digital and traditional.
By the time this story was filed, Nepal was in the top the medal tally with 23 gold. However, it is likely that India will lead the tally at the end.
Athletes from seven nations are vying for 317 gold medals of 26 sports disciplines. The games are being held in 29 venues and 2715 athletes are in race for the medals.
Nepal has used endangered antelope Black Buck as the mascot and flying dove has been used in the logo of the SAG.
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