POKHARA, Nov 23: Six hundred and sixty-two athletes are competing in eight games that will take place in Pokhara under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG). SAG is taking place from December 1 to 10.
Although 27 games have been included in SAG this time, paragliding is not taking place due to less participation. Out of 26 games to be organised in the 13th SAG, eight games will be held in Pokhara.
Four hundred and one female athletes and 261 male athletes from SAARC member countries will be competing in the eight games to be held in Pokhara, Keshav Pathak, SAG Pokhara Publicity coordinator said.
Similarly, 172 officials are also attending the various events.
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Host country Nepal will participate in all the eight sports events to be held in Pokhara. Fifty-two male and 102 female athletes and 30 officials from Nepal are participating.
The Maldives has not participated in archery, weight lifting and triathlon. It is sending 61 female and 26 male athletes and 29 officials for the eight events being held in Pokhara.
India is participating in all the games except archery and cricket. It is sending 41 male and 61 female athletes.
Similarly, Bangladesh is sending 44 male and 55 female athletes as well as 30 officials to participate in six games. It is not participating in women football and triathlon competitions.
Pakistan will be sending 38 male and 35 female athletes as well as 21 officials to participate in five events except for women football, women cricket and triathlon.
Sri Lanka will have the participation of 46 male and 81 female athletes as well as of 33 officials in all the eight games of 13th SAARC to be held here.
Bhutan has not participated in handball, women football, beach volleyball and triathlon. It is sending 14 male and six female athletes and four officials.
Out of eight games to be held in Pokhara, badminton competition is going to be organized at the Badminton Covered Hall from December 1. The women cricket will be held at the cricket pitch at Pokhara Stadium on December 2. Archery and triathlon are also taking place on December 2.
Both men's and women's handball competitions, beach volleyball, weight lifting and women football will start from December 5. Beach volleyball will be held at the beach volleyball court at Barahighat. Weight lifting will be held at KC catering hall at Matepaani. Football matches will be held at Gauri Shankar playground at Geste Ghat Lamachaur of Pokhara-25 while the practice matches will take place at Nepal Army's western division camp at Bijayapur. The cricket practice matches will be held at the town development training centre ground.
