With the participation of 25 thousand athletes in different disciplines, the twelfth edition of South Asian Games is beginning today (Friday) in Guwahati, Assam in India.
Two Northeast Indian cities, Guwahati and Shillong, are jointly hosting the event which is called the Olympics of South Asia from February 5 to 16.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 12-day meet at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya will be the chief guest in another opening ceremony on Saturday in Shillong.
Athletes from eight South Asian countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, are going to participate in 23 disciplines in Games.