There are players. There are security personnel and finally, like all multi-event spectacles in India, there is chaos. Though not very intense, there is a buzz about the South Asian Games (SAG) here in Guwahati, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi declares the meet open.
The city is draped in bright lights and colourful hoardings. Initial ignorance and skepticism has slowly given way to optimism and hope. People are looking forward to SAG. The region that has produced sporting greats like T Ao, Dingko Singh, Thoiba Singh, MC Mary Kom, and L Sarita Devi has woken from its slumber. There is verve and there is excitement. Why not? It’s the first event of this stature in the Northeast. After much deliberation and postponement, the event has finally arrived here.
Sports Authority of India director general Injeti Srinivas, who addressed the media on Thursday, vowed that there would be a spectacular opening ceremony. At the same time, the man who is in charge of SAG too said something that’s reflected in every corner of the city - unprecedented security.
Right from the air defence system, to the snipers and the cameras in place on high-rise buildings, to bomb disposal units and dog squads, one can find everything synonymous with security. “We cannot compromise on it,” said Srinivas. There, however, is still some suspense over basketball. Though Srinivas said that all participating nations have their team in place, and the organising committee will go ahead with the event, all eyes will be on the international body. A minor glitch, but one that can be erased with a fabulous SAG outing.
Afghanistan team was the last team to arrive on Thursday evening. “We are happy to be here. It feels good. We are here to win,” Abdul Wahab Zahiri, a member of their contingent, said.
Apart from Afghanistan, most of the other teams too have arrived in the city, according to the volunteers stationed at the airport, who have endured sleepless nights in their bid to ensure a good first impression. “I haven’t slept properly for the last four days. I’m just here to help India host one of the biggest events,” Ajay Rathi, a volunteer from Haryana, declared. The Indian weightlifting team also touched down at around the same time. Former stalwart Kunjurani Devi, a member of coaching staff, is ready too. “It’s good to be here. We are looking forward to this event. All our lifters are promising,” she stated.
Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist Vikas Thakur echoed the same sentiment. “It’s good to be part of the competition. We have trained hard for this tournament. The team will look to win maximum amount of medal.”
Though SAG has a hint of a political undertone with the ruling BJP trying to make a mark in Assam before the assembly elections this year, no one is complaining. Initially, there were indications that top athletes were not willing to participate, but with the Sports Ministry’s diktat asking all federations to ensure the participation of their stars, most are likely to do so. Stars like London Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar, and bronze medallist Gagan Narang and Mary Kom are top draws. India is expected to dominate in almost all disciplines. Pakistan, as reported by Express, has been given a concession, with the government changing their entry point to Guwahati and Kolkata for athletes with Non Validated Passes (NVPs). Besides Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the neighbouring nations, their Sports Ministers are expected.