SHILLONG: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal launched the “torch relay” for the 12th South Asian Games at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. High officials of IOA and eminent sports personalities were also present on the occasion.
The ceremony started with the handing over of the torch by IOA President N. Ramachandran to Sonowal who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee, 12th South Asian Games.
The Chairman lit the torch and handed it over to Jaffar Iqbal and Kunjurani Devi for start of the relay to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The torch was received by Rajiv Mehta, Secretary General, IOA at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Inaugurating the ceremony, Sonowal said, “The South Asian Games are the symbol of the cohesion, peace and harmony, and sportspersons are the sports ambassadors of their respective countries. These Games will energize the youths of the country.”
“This torch relay marks the beginning of the South Asian Games, 2016,” he declared.
The torch is expected to arrive in Shillong on January 20 and will be in public view during the “Run for North East” or the 5 km mini marathon to be held in the city on January 21.
Earlier, the torch relay was started amid much fanfare and eminent sports personalities including Jaffar Iqbal, P Gopichand, Kunjarani Devi, Seema Poonia among others along with over 2000 volunteers and school children participated in the function.
Addressing the gathering Sonowal said, “We are very happy with whatever support we have received so far from the Government of Assam and Meghalaya and the people of North East. Our Prime Minister is kind enough to extend all his possible support. Indian Olympic Association is also taking a lot of responsibility. So we are firmly of the opinion that this SAG will be a grand success. These Games will help North East to focus on the potentialities, probabilities and prosperity of the region.”
India is hosting the 12th South Asian Games, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong from February 5 to 16.
The South Asian Games (SAG) is a biennial multinational multi-sport event held amongst the athletes from South Asia and being organized in the similar format of Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games (CWG). In this 12th edition of the Games, athletes from eight countries namely – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka— will take part.
Around 3500 athletes and sports officials from eight countries are expected to participate in the biggest ever sporting spectacle in North East.
(With inputs from PTI)
