2006 South Asian Games

The 2006 South Asian Games(also known as 2006 SAF Games or 10th SAF Games) were held in Colombo, Srilanka from August 18 to August 28, 2006 in the Sugathadasa Stadium with more than 2000 sportspersons competing in the record 20 disciplines of Sports. The 10th edition of SAF Games also marked the debut for Afghanistan. Another highlight of 2006 SAF Games was unprecedented high levels of security for officials & players amid violent clashes between Srilankan Government’s troops and LTTE. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1901228.cms "Colombo shifts focus to SAF Games"] ."The Times of India".August 17,2006.] Earlier in 2005, the Games,originally scheduled to be held in 2005, had been postponed after a tsunami wave devastated the region. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/01/07/stories/2005010701791700.htm South Asian Games Postponed] . "The Hindu". Jan 07,2005.] The next SAF Games are scheduled to be held at Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2008.

Logo & Mascot

Pora-Pol:An ancient sport of coconut fighting and Wali kukula(A Jungle fowl) were chosen as official logo and mascot respectively for the 2006 SAF Games. However it drew some criticism for the lack of creativity particularly in the case of mascot.

Medal Talley

ports in 2006 SAG

The 2006 South Asian Games encompassed record 20 disciplines with Hockey being reintroduced after several years. Following is a list of the 20 sports:

Gold Medalists

"See:List of Gold-medallists at 2006 South Asian Games

Highlights

*Nagalingm Edirith Weeresinghe and Sriyani Kulawansa(both former Srilankan athletes) lit the Games torch at the opening ceremony.
*India made a clean sweep at Archery, Badminton, Rowing, Wushu.
*Women’s Kabaddi event was introduced for the first time in the history of games.
*Maldives failed to claim any medal for the second consecutive time.
*Sri Lanka Swimmer Mayumi Raheem wins 10 medals (3 Gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) a record for any athlete at a single games

Dope-test failures

The 10th SAF games couldn’t be freed from infamous trend of steroid-using by athletes to boost their performance, as a group of athletes were reportedly tested positive for the use of banned performance enhancing substance. The athletes alleged to test positive included Nepal’s double gold-medalist Rajendra Bhandari, Pakistani boxers Nauman Karim & Mohammed Lassi and Srilanka’s Jani Chathurangani Silva. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/23/sports/AS_SPT_South_Asian_Games_Doping.php/ "Nepalese gold medalist among four South Asian Games athletes tested positive for drugs"] ."International Herald Tribune".September 23,2006.] .An Indian athlete was also said to have failed a dope test. [ [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200609212026.htm/ "India returns positive dope tests from South Asian Games"] . "The Hindu". September 21,2006.]

References

External links

* [http://www.sportssrilanka.com/ Info. About 2006 SAF Games]
* [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2006-08/22/content_670564.htms Pictures of opening ceremony]
* [http://www.advancebaggage.com/ Official freight forwarder for 10th SAF games colombo]