Sri Lanka is sending a contingent of 484 men and women athletes to take part in the 12th South Asian Games to be held in India’s northeastern cities of Guwahati and Shillong during February 5-16.

Stating this in a press release issued on Tuesday, the Indian High Commission said the athletes would participate in all 23 disciplines. Of the total number of athletes, men would account for 257 and women – 227.

Earlier in the day, a delegation from India that included Birendra Prasad Baisya, president, Indian Weightlifting Federation Organising Committee for 12th South Asian Games and Rajiv Yadav, Secretary, Department of Sports in the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports held discussion here with Sri Lankan Minister for Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara.

The release stated that Nepal was another country that had confirmed participation in all the disciplines, apart from India, the host country. The other participating countries were Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan. All the eight countries accounted for 21 per cent of the world's population with their share in global economy being around 9.12 per cent.

Totally, there would be 1,505 men athletes and 1,167 women taking part in the Games for 228 events spread over 23 disciplines. While events concerning 16 disciplines would be conducted in Guwahati, those relating to six others would be in Shilliong. Football would be played in both cities.

The theme song of the Games would be ‘Ei Prithibi Ekhon Krirangon, Krira Hol Shantir Prangon’ sung by the musician late Bhupen Hazarika and this meant that “the whole world is a playground and sports is a playground of peace,” the release added.

(The Hindu)