SAF Games to kick off on Nov 18

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 28: A team, led by Omkar Kedia, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, today visited different sports infrastructures in the city to prepare the blue print for the next SAF  Games. Guwahati and Shillong will jointly host the next edition of the Games which will be held in November.

Talking to the media persons after completing the inspection of different propose venues in the  city Kedia today said," Guwahati and Shillong are selected to host the event jointly. The Games will kick off on November 18 and will be concluded on November 29.There will be altogether 21 disciplines in this edition of the Games."

The team had already visited Shillong before they reached Guwahati to inspect the propose venues. Kedia has no complain on the infrastructures. "Guwahati had already hosted tiol Games and many intertiol events. Sports infrastructures in Shillong are also good. We feel there will be no problems to host the events in two venues. Few upgradation works may be required in some venues but it would not be a problem as government will provide necessary funds,"  said Kedia. He also hinted that Guwahati will host most of the disciplines of the Games where around 4000 athletes from eight countries will take part.

Apart from Sarusajai stadium, the inspection team today visited few more venues in the city which included Nehru Stadium, Tarun Ram Phukan Indoor stadium, SAI Sports complex, Bhogeswari Phukanoni Indoor stadium and Barsapara cricket stadium. Cricket may be a part of next edition of the SAF Games if BCCI give necessary permission.