12th South Asian Games to be held in Guwahati & Shillong from 5-Feb-2016 to 16-Feb-2016 will be the biggest sporting extravaganza ever in the North East of India and the 1st ever gender equal South Asian Games with men & women participation in all the sports. For conduct of the games an organizing committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon'ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (I/C) Government of India and Shri N. Ramachandran President Indian Olympic Association as co - chairman. The organizing committee has been working hard towards preparation for the Games in coordination with all stake holders including the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association, and the State Governments of the Assam & Meghalaya and NOCs of participating nations.

2. SAARC nations namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be participating in the games. SAARC nations comprise 21% of the world's total population and around 9.12% of Global economy. SAARC is a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding so as to achieve lasting peace and prosperity of its member nations. South Asian Games play a vital role in achieving this objective.

3. 228 events in 23 Sports disciplines will be played during the games.  Total No. of medals for medal tally – 228 Gold, 228 Silver and 308 Bronze medals.  16 Sports Disciplines will be played at Guwahati – Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Triathlon, Hockey, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Squash, Shooting, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, Cycling and Tennis. 6 Sports Disciplines will be played at Shillong – Archery, Boxing, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wushu. Men Football will be played at Guwahati and women football at Shillong.

4. Entries by number have been received for 1505 Men and 1167 women athletes, 635 NOC & Team Officials and 200 International Technical officials – 200. Around 100 International Media are expected to cover the event on the spot. Details of confirmed participation received are as follows:

India is highly thankful to Srilanka for having confirmed participation in all 23 disciplines along with Nepal.

6. The logo symbolizes peace, progress & prosperity in the region. It consists of 8 petals representing the 8 countries participating in the Games. Colors of petals are from the flags of the 8 countries.  Mascot “TIKHOR” a Baby rhino is Sharp, Naughty, Sporty & Modern. He is a Motivator, friend and messenger of peace, progress & prosperity.  The theme song is 'Ei Prithibi Ekhon Krirangon, Krira Hol Shantir Prangon' sung by the world famous musician late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. It means that the whole world is a playground and sports is a playground of peace. The song is being translated in official languages of all SAARC nations and will be sung in each of these languages.

7. For the planning and smooth delivery of the Games, a Games Secretariat has been set up comprising of 16 Functional Areas. Arrangements are being made for ease of accreditation, arrival, departure, comfortable stay, security, medical facilities and transport arrangements, etc. To ensure that the participating athletes & team officials can instantly share these memories with loved ones back home a pre-paid BSNL SIM card with 3G data & talk time worth Rs. 1,000 will be provided.  The volunteer program for the games has received tremendous response with over 3500 volunteers already signing up for the games.  To further inform the participating NOCs about the conduct of the games, organizing committee is hosting a Chef De Mission Seminar for Chef De Mission's of all participating nations from 11th to 13th January, 2016.

8. A glittering opening ceremony has been planned for 5th February 2016 in Guwahati and a separate ceremony will also be held in Shillong on 6th February 2016 for athletes participating in Shillong.

9. Guwahati is in Assam State and is the main tourist hub in Northeast India and among the busiest airports in India.  Shillong is a hill station with an altitude of 1496 Meters & is blessed with Natural Beauty. It is the capital city of Meghalaya & is also known as "The Abode of Clouds” and "Scotland of the East”.

10. Paradise Unexplored - The North East India – a region with suave hills, carpeted with greenery, make it one of the most mysterious and arguably the most beautiful region of India. Be it culture or wildlife, the frontier states sharing international borders with Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China is virtually a museum of cultures and races. A timeline that can be drawn right from the Neolithic Age through the Iron Age over the centuries till the present day speak volumes about the Eastern Himalayan region and its people. Visiting the North East is by itself an adventure of a kind. Bestowed with the richest biodiversity “hotspots” in South Asia, the North Eastern states are in a way India's wanderlust destination for eco-tourists. The states are endowed with immense natural landscapes, unique flora and fauna, impressive array of hills, water falls, natural reservoirs, fresh water lakes, wilderness, criss-crossing rivers, rapids, undulating tea plantations, snow-clad mountains and riverine islands. Its geography and sub-tropical climate offer extensive opportunity to indulge in one's penchant for every kind of adventure tourism. North East India is also a land of festivities. These are affairs that bring to the fore the most vibrant, meaningful and colorful display of weaves, art, music and food, unique to each tribe and community. Welcome to the Northeast where, myth and history intertwine smoothly.

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Colombo

29 December 2015