Host city Colombo, Sri Lanka Athletes participating 1554 Opening ceremony 2006 August 18 | Nations participating 8 Events 197 in 20 Sports Closing ceremony 2006 August 28 | |
The 2006 South Asian Games (also known as 2006 SAF Games or 10th SAF Games) were held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from August 18 to August 28, 2006 in the Sugathadasa Stadium with more than 2000 sportspersons competing in the record 20 disciplines of Sports.
Contents
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 the Sri Lankan Government’s troops and LTTE. Earlier in 2005, the Games, originally scheduled to be held in 2005, had been postponed after a tsunami wave devastated the region.
Mascots
Pora-Pol (an ancient sport of coconut fighting) and Wali kukula (a jungle fowl) were chosen as the official logo and mascot for the 2006 SAF Games, respectively. However they drew some criticism for the lack of creativity particularly in the case of mascot.
Sports
The 2006 South Asian Games encompassed a record 20 disciplines with hockey being reintroduced after several years.
Participating nations
athletes from eight countries competed at 2006 South Asian Games.
Highlights
Doping
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. Prominent athletes alleged to test positive included Nepal’s double gold-medalist Rajendra Bhandari, Pakistani boxers Nauman Karim & Mohammed Lassi and Sri Lanka’s Jani Chathurangani Silva. An Indian athlete was also said to have failed a dope test.