Guwahati: Union Minister of State for Sports Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday reviewed preparations for the South Asian Games (SAF) 2016 with representatives of the two host states, Assam and Meghlalaya here.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Sonowal said, “We reviewed the preparations for holding the Games successfully. All agencies are working in tandem to ensure its success.”
He also assured that all events of the SAF Games would be held in the two host states itself.
Chairing the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Coordination meeting here, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the State Government will leave no stone unturned for making the sporting event a grand success.
Mr Gogoi said sports can play an important role in spreading camaraderie and forge friendly relations with different countries and State Government will address all infrastructural and logistical issues for the event.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned officials to hold weekly review meeting to assess the preparedness of the event.
The 12th South Asian Games, to be held from February 6 to 16 next year, will have 23 events of which 16 will be held in Guwahati and six in Shillong. There will be 11 competition venues in Guwahati and 6 will be in Shillong.
Eight countries will be participating in the event and the inaugural and valedictory event to be held in Guwahati.
Assam Sports Minister Ajit Singh, IOA President N Ramachandran, Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Joint Secretary S N Bali, Secretary Sports Government of India Rajiv Yadav, Chief Secretary in charge T Y Das, Director General of Assam Police Mukesh Sahay, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MGVK Bhanu along with a host of other top officers were present at the meeting. (UNI)
