Guwahati, Shillong likely to host South Asian Federation Games this year

NEW DELHI: Three years behind schedule, the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games may just see the light of the day this year in November with the Sports Ministry proposing the north-eastern cities of Guwahati and Shillong as possible venues for the regional showpiece.

The last SAF Games were held in Dhaka in 2010 and India were to host the next edition in 2012. However, the Games got postponed after the Indian Olympic Association was banned by the IOC.

The ban was revoked last year after fresh elections to the body and now plans are afoot to ensure that the Games are held this year in November.

"Guwahati and Shillong are being considered to host the Games and a central team will leave for there next week to take stock of the infrastructure. The Games will be held in November this year," a source told PTI.

The governments of both Assam and Meghalaya have been asked for their consent to host the Games, the estimated budget for which is Rs 60 crore . The IOA has asked the centre to fund Rs 40 crore.

"The Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Shillong is operational and Guwahati has the experience of hosting the National Games. So, infrastructure would not be a problem," the source said.