The first edition of the beach games will be held in Hambantota, Sri Lanak from August 22-29. The SAOC is geared to hold beach games in South Asian region following the success and soaring popularity of beach games in Asia which was held for the second time last year.[break]
The first edition of Asian Beach Games was held in Indonesia in 2008 and second in Oman in 2010.
South Asian Games, started from 1984, is the only regional sports meet of the sub continent.
“Beach games were a totally new concept in Asia but the success of the games inspired us to conduct the game in South Asian region as well,” Nepal Olympic Committee General Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha told Republica.
The first edition of the beach games in South Asia will see 11 events include volleyball, kabaddi, basketball, handball, net ball, cricket, body building, wind surfing\\sailing, triathlon, ocean swimming and beach football. Netball will see only women’s competitions while cricket, body building and football will feature only men’s competitions.
According to NOC President Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Nepal has already got invitation for the first edition of the games and NOC would initiate for Nepal’s participation in the event. “We have got invitation and we will inform regarding it to the respective associations and Sports Ministry,” Pradhan said.
The Supreme Court has recognized the old NOC headed by Rukma Shamsher Rana and Pradhan is the general secretary of the committee. However, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) have recognized the Pradhan headed NOC and Pradhan claims that they will represent Nepal in the games. “The OCA has authorized our committee and we are the main responsible body for Nepal’s representation in the games,” said Pradhan.
According to General Secretary Shrestha there are slim chances of Nepal participating in ocean swimming, surfing\sailing and netball as these games aren’t played in Nepal.
South Asian beach games got a place in OCA’s calendar after Asian Beach Games was included in IOC’s calendar. Nepal had participated in body building and volleyball in Indonesia beach games and in Oman Nepal had competed in kabaddi and body building.
Related story
A history of Nepal hosting South Asian Games
