1st meeting of SAGOC held: Bangladesh expects 17 gold medals
UNB, Dhaka
The 1st meeting of the South Asian Games Organising Committee (SAGOC) was held Thursday reviewing the progress of the 11th South Asian (SA) Games beginning here on January 29 next year.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, also the president of SAGOC, presided over the meeting held at the National Sports Council (NSC) Tower. Co-President of the Committee Ahad Ali Sarkar was also present.
Addressing a press conference at the NSC Tower after the SAGOC meeting, BOA secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed said they are expecting a total of 80 medals, including 17 gold, in the ensuing regional Games.
As per assurance of federations, they are hopeful of getting 80 medals, including 17 gold.
The meeting discussed the progress and preparation for the ensuing Games, budget, venues construction, renovations and training activities.
Eight South Asian countries -- India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan and host Bangladesh -- will take part in the biggest sports carnival of South Asia.
A record 23 disciplines of sports have been included in the eighth-nation mega meet. Dhaka is going to host the South Asian Games for the 3rd time after 1985 and 1993.
The meeting also approved 20 subcommittees of the Games.
The subcommittees are: steering committee, ceremonious committee, technical committee, accreditation committee, venue management committee, finance & budget committee, food & accommodation committee, transport and movement control committee, security committee, reception, protocol & liaison committee, media committee, brochure, souvenir& merchandising committee, statistics & information committee, ticket printing & gate management committee, invitation committee, volunteer management committee, and coordination committee.
The BOA secretary general said they have received Tk 10 crore out Tk 16 crore budget sanctioned by the government for the training of sportsmen.
The training already started on January 2 this year and it would continue till the start of the games.
The games will be held in the following probable venues in the city:
Bangabandhu National Stadium, Sultana Kamal Women Sports Complex, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, National Sports Council Gymnasium, Kurmitola Golf Club, Wooden Floor, Paltan, Basetbal Indoor Stadium, Dhanmondi, Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium, Paltan, Handball Stadium, Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium, BKSP, Kabaddi Stadium and Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur.
Besides, some matches of the games will be held in five divisional venues -- Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet.
The meeting also decided to award the country's successful sportsmen of the Games.
Co-president Ahad Ali Sarkar, who was present at the press conference, said they would be able to finish the construction and renovation works of different venues before the start of the Games.
In the 6th South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh secured 62 medals including 11 gold.
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