All set for the SA Games

Tomorrow is the D-day that all of us have been waiting for - the opening of the 10th South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. Ever since the eight-nation Games were awarded to Sri Lanka, many questioned whether we could do it, citing many issues relating to security, finance and organisation.

Thanks to the untiring efforts of the President of the National Olympic Committee and his dynamic organising committee, that consists of many sub committees, Sri Lanka is finally hosting the South Asian version of the Olympics after 15 years.

In going for that goal, one cannot forget the able leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who played a prominent role as the Chairman of the all-important Steering Committee of the mega event. When President Rajapaksa finally opens the SA Games at Sugathadasa Stadium tomorrow evening, a new chapter in Sri Lanka sports would be written. The 20-discipline Games is the biggest ever multi-sport event ever to be hosted by Sri Lanka.

Unlike in 1991, when we hosted the Games for the first time, Sri Lanka had to beat many odds to bring the Games back to Colombo after one and a half decades.

There were huge financial problems, security concerns with the LTTE terrorists trying to disrupt normal life with a series of killings and shortcomings related to organisational matters. But Sri Lanka has finally proved that we are a nation with great courage and determination. Our unity, willpower and courage have been the key factors that have enabled Sri Lanka to find solutions to all those problems.

Thanks to the untiring efforts made by all those who were involved in the sub committees and also those who worked silently behind the scene, we are in a position to host nearly 2,500 competitors and officials from eight countries.

We have ten important days ahead. All those who are involved in the South Asian Games Olympic family and the support staff, will have to devoted fully in the days ahead to make the Colombo Games a success. This is not the time to complain and criticise, nor is it the time to find fault with organisers.

All of us must be determined to give of our best and make a genuine effort to make even a simple contribution towards the success of the Games. Once the Games are over, we could take stock and fire at each other if there have been any shady deals. Sri Lanka will be fielding its largest ever contingent of over 400 members. Competing under ideal home conditions, our sportsmen and women must make every effort to give of their best. Even those who can't go for medals, should be determined to reach their personal best performances so that the nation could at least be proud of them.

If the performances of our sportsmen and women have improved, then Sri Lanka could be satisfied that the huge funds spent on the Games is an investment for the future.

When we hosted the Games for the first time in 1991, we bagged a record 44 gold medals that included 15 gold medals in athletics. Sri Lanka should make every effort to beat that record feat and create history this time round.

Interestingly, out of the athletes who won gold medals for SRO Lanka at the 1991 SA Games in Colombo, Damayanthi Darsha is the only surviving member in the current Sri Lanka athletic team. The three-time Asian Games gold medallist, who has won many gold medals at SA Games since 1991, will only be competing in women's 200m.

Undoubtedly, track and field will be Sri Lanka's brightest medal prospect and AASL chief Dervin Perera was of the view that Sri Lanka could win about 15 gold medals. Of course we have trump cards like Susanthika Jayasinghe, Darsha, Rohan Pradeep Kumara and Prasanna Amarasekera to maintain our track dominance.

But interestingly, India have groomed a talented lot of second-string athletes who are bound to make a big impact at the Games. Not only in athletics, but in most other sports, India should be able to maintain their regional dominance and top the 100-gold mark once again. Sri Lanka's aim should be to emerge a close second, even with around half of that medal haul.

Sri Lanka boxers have put a lot of effort in recent times under a special programme drawn up by the ABASL President Dian Gomes. Our boxers had good international exposure during the last couple of years and are in good shape. With the Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chinthana Vidanage and several other talented competitors, Sri Lanka stands a good chance in weightlifting too.

Besides athletics, boxing and weightlifting, shooting is another discipline in which Sri Lanka could pin their hopes for gold medals. Our women shooters have always made their presence felt at SA Games and Runivi Abeymanne is one of them who is well set for yet another record performance.

Regional super powers India and Pakistan are concentrating on the hockey World Cup and are fielding their youth teams here. In the circumstances, Sri Lanka must go flat out and aim for the gold medal at the hockey competition to be worked off in Matale.

Sri Lanka's medal hopes in team sports like volleyball and soccer too looks bright but what matters would be how good those players are on that particular day. Besides the host nation, India and Pakistan are fielding two huge contingents, along with Bangladesh.

Out of comparatively smaller nations in the region, Afghanistan and Nepal too would send strong contingents. With Bhutan and Maldives joining, the 10th South Asian Games should turn out to be a place that we could show our regional sports talents to the rest of the world.