Delhi to host 2012 South Asian Games

New Delhi, Feb 10 (PTI) Delhi will host the next South
Asian Games in 2012 to ensure that the infrastructure being
developed for this year's Commonwealth Games remains in use,
the Union sports ministry said on Wednesday.

India was picked to host the regional sporting event in
the 41st South Asian Olympic Council meeting earlier this
month in Dhaka after Bhutan, whose turn it was to host the
next SAG, expressed its inability to stage the meet.
"We have given in principle approval to the Indian
Olympic Association to host the 12th South Asian Games in
place of Bhutan," a Sports Ministry official told PTI.
"The Ministry made it clear that the host city should be
Delhi as the South Asian Games will be the perfect opportunity
to utilise the huge infrastructure that is being raised for
the Commonwealth Games," he added.
The national capital will host the Commonwealth Games
from October 3 to 14 this year.
India has hosted the South Asian Games twice thus far -—
in 1987 (Kolkata) and in 1995 (Chennai).
IOA President Suresh Kalmadi was in Dhaka to receive the
SAG flag after the latest edition drew to a close on Tuesday.
India, as expected, topped the standings with a staggering
175 medals, 90 of which were gold. PTI AY
SDE



The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.