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{{Short description|Multi-sport event}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox games
| name = XII South Asian Games
| logo = 2016 South Asian Games Logo.png
| size =
| caption =
| host_city = [[Guwahati]] and [[Shillong]]
| country = [[India]]
| motto = ''Play for Peace, Progress and Prosperity''
| nations = [[#Participating nations|8]]
| teams =
| debuting_countries =
| athletes = 2,672
| events = 226 in 22 [[sports]]
| opening = 5 February {{smaller|([[Guwahati]])}}<br/>6 February {{smaller|([[Shillong]])}}
| closing = 16 February
| opened_by = [[Narendra Modi]] <br> [[Prime Minister of India]]
| closed_by = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]]
| athlete_oath =
| judge_oath =
| torch_lighter =
| Paralympic_torch =
| Queens_Baton = 
| stadium = [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]], [[Guwahati]]<br/>[[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Shillong)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]], [[Shillong]]
| Paralympic_stadium =
| length =
| ind_prize =
| team_prize =
| website = {{URL|http://southasiangames2016.nic.in/|Website}}
| previous =
| next =
| SpreviousS = [[2010 South Asian Games|2010 Dhaka]]
| SnextS = [[2019 South Asian Games|2019 Kathmandu-Pokhara]]
| Sprevious = [[2011 South Asian Winter Games|2011 Dehradun-Auli]]
| Snext =
}}

The '''2016 [[South Asian Games]]''', officially the '''XII South Asian Games''', is a major [[multi-sport]] event which took place from 5 February to 16 February 2016 in [[Guwahati]] and [[Shillong]], India.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=South Asian Games to held from Feb 5-16 in Guwahati, Shillong |url=http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/south-asian-games-to-held-from-feb-6-16-in-guwahati-shillong_1814375.html |newspaper=Zee News |date=25 October 2015 |access-date=29 December 2015 }}</ref> A total of 2,672 athletes competed in 226 events over 22 sports.<ref name="team">{{cite news |author= |title=Sri Lanka to field 484 athletes in 23 disciplines |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2015/12/30/sports/sri-lanka-field-484-athletes-23-disciplines |newspaper=Daily news |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |date=30 December 2015 |access-date=30 December 2015 }}</ref> Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] inaugurated the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati on 5 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sport/south-asian-games-budget-up-because-of-terror-threat/182590.html|title=South Asian Games budget up because of terror threat}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/south-asian-games-sets-in-with-digital-evening/|title=South Asian Games sets in with 'digital' evening|date=7 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref> India continued its dominance in the game's medal tally with a staggering 308 medals including 188 gold medals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/at-sag-it-wasnt-just-the-gold-that-glittered/|title=At South Asian Games, it wasn't just the gold that glittered|date=17 February 2016 }}</ref>

==Host selection==
The games were originally scheduled to be held in 2012 in [[Kathmandu]], but were postponed to [[Delhi]] for 2013 but again, were postponed to late 2015 because of the suspension of the [[Indian Olympic Association]]. In 2015 it was decided to further postpone the competition to early 2016, because participating countries felt the December dates did not present enough time for preparation.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=South Asian Games to be postponed further |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/South-Asian-Games-to-be-postponed-further/articleshow/47991343.cms |newspaper=Times of India|location=New Delhi, India |date=8 July 2015 |access-date=30 December 2015 }}</ref>

==Logo, Mascot and Anthem==

===The Mascot===
[[File:Tikhor the Rhino.png|thumb|Tikhor, the official mascot used for the games.]]
On 19 December 2015, Tikhor the baby [[Indian Rhino]] was unveiled to the public as the official mascot for the 2016 South Asian Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/where-the-saf-games-are-the-most-visible-contest-is-congress-vs-bjp/|title=At the SAF Games in Guwahati, the most visible contest is Congress vs BJP|date=4 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref> According to the organising committee, Tikhor carries the message of Peace, Progress, and Prosperity in the South Asian region.<ref>{{Cite web|title = LOGO & MASCOT launch in Shillong - The Lantern Festival {{!}} Facebook|url = https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162855090740290.1073741832.141533382872461&type=3|website = www.facebook.com|access-date = 2016-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = LOGO and MASCOT of 12th South Asian Games, 2016 Launched At Guwahati|url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mberel.aspx?relid=133132|website = pib.nic.in|access-date = 2016-01-18}}</ref> This is in line with the official motto, "Play for Peace, Progress and Prosperity".

===The Anthem===
The anthem of the games was chosen to be a famous Assamese song, "Ei Prithibi Ek Krirangan" (The world is a playground) by [[Bhupen Hazarika]], an Indian lyricist, musician, singer, poet and film-maker from Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|title = South Asian Games 2016|url = http://www.southasiangames2016.com/|website = www.southasiangames2016.com|access-date = 2016-01-17|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160320184016/http://www.southasiangames2016.com/|archive-date = 20 March 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==The Games==
===Sports===
There are 228 events in 23 sports scheduled to be held.<ref name="team"/> A total of 764 medals (228 gold, 228 silver and 308 bronze medals) are on offer in 2016 South Asian Games.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/After-multiple-delays-South-Asian-Games-begin-on-Friday/articleshow/50849795.cms|title=After multiple delays, South Asian Games begin on Friday|newspaper=The Times of India |date=4 February 2016 }}</ref>
{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* {{GamesSport|Archery}}
* {{GamesSport|Athletics}}
* {{GamesSport|Badminton}}
* {{GamesSport|Boxing}}
* {{GamesSport|Cycling}}
* {{GamesSport|Field hockey}}
* {{GamesSport|Football}}
* {{GamesSport|Handball}}
* {{GamesSport|Judo}}
* {{GamesSport|Kabaddi}}
* {{GamesSport|Kho kho}}
* {{GamesSport|Shooting}}
* {{GamesSport|Squash}}
* {{GamesSport|Swimming}}
* {{GamesSport|Table tennis}}
* {{GamesSport|Taekwondo}}
* {{GamesSport|Tennis}}
* {{GamesSport|Triathlon}}
* {{GamesSport|Volleyball}}
* {{GamesSport|Weightlifting}}
* {{GamesSport|Wrestling}}
* {{GamesSport|Wushu}}
}}

==Participating nations==
8 countries competed in 2016 South Asian Games.<ref name="team"/>

[[File:South Asian Games participating countries.PNG|thumb|right|Participating nations]]

{{Columns-list|
* {{flagIOC2|AFG|2016 South Asian Games|254 athletes}}
* {{flagIOC2|BAN|2016 South Asian Games|409}}
* {{flagIOC2|BHU|2016 South Asian Games|87}}
* {{flagIOC2|IND|2016 South Asian Games|519}}
* {{flagIOC2|MDV|2016 South Asian Games|184}}
* {{flagIOC2|NEP|2016 South Asian Games|398}}
* {{flagIOC2|PAK|2016 South Asian Games|337}}
* {{flagIOC2|SRI|2016 South Asian Games|484}}
}}

{{location map+|India3|float=right|width=320|caption=Location of events in 2016 South Asian Games in [[India]]|places=
{{location map~|India|label='''Guwahati'''|mark=Blue_pog.svg|position=left|lat=26.18|long=91.75}}
{{Location map~|India|label='''Shillong'''|mark=Green_pog.svg|position=right|lat=25.57|long=91.88}}
}}

==Medal tally==
:
''After Doping Test Result.''{{Medals table
| caption =
| host =IND
| flag_template = flagIOC2
| event = 2016 South Asian Games
| team =
| gold_IND = 188 | silver_IND = 92 | bronze_IND = 28 | host_IND = yes
| gold_SRI = 25 | silver_SRI = 64 | bronze_SRI = 98
| gold_PAK = 12 | silver_PAK = 35 | bronze_PAK = 57
| gold_AFG = 7 | silver_AFG = 9 | bronze_AFG = 19
| gold_BAN = 4 | silver_BAN = 16 | bronze_BAN = 55
| gold_NEP = 3| silver_NEP = 23 | bronze_NEP = 35
| gold_MDV = 0 | silver_MDV = 2 | bronze_MDV = 1
| gold_BHU = 0 | silver_BHU = 1 | bronze_BHU = 15
}}

==Calendar==
Competition scheduled accurate as of 5 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.southasiangames2016.com/includes/media/Competition-Schedule-SAG-2016.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221105234413/http://www.southasiangames2016.com/includes/media/Competition-Schedule-SAG-2016.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = 5 November 2022|title = Competition Schedule|access-date = 5 February 2016|website = 2016 South Asian Games}}</ref>
{{2016 South Asian Games calendar}}

==Controversy==
===IOA ban and delay===
Initially, the Games were expected to be held in October, 2012.<ref name=hsch>{{cite web
|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Delhi-to-host-2012-South-Asian-Games/articleshow/5556360.cms
|publisher=The Economic Times
|date=2010-02-10
|title=Delhi to host 2012 South Asian Games
|access-date=2010-03-07
}}</ref> However, during the General Body meeting of the [[Indian Olympic Association]] (IOA) on 16 December 2011, it was decided to postpone the Games to February, 2013. The primary concern highlighted was that the original plan meant that the Games would be held only two months after the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], a fact which made athletes uncomfortable. In addition, the Delhi Government had stated that "accommodation would be a problem during October–November".<ref name="Del">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/ioa-postpones-south-asian-games/20111216.htm|publisher=Rediff|title=IOA postpones South Asian Games, scraps recent committees|date=16 December 2011|access-date=6 February 2012}}</ref> In April 2012, the IOA sent letters to all the [[National Olympic Committee]]s (NOCs) of South Asia, announcing that the Games will be held for eight days beginning from 13 February 2013; further discussions would take place at an all-NOC meeting in [[Moscow]]. President of the [[Nepal Olympic Committee]] Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan also reported about the proposed additions of [[fencing]], [[equestrianism|equestrian]], [[gymnastics]] and the [[triathlon]] to the Games schedule.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=33797 | title=India proposes mid-Feb for hosting South Asian Games | publisher=My Republica | date=11 April 2012 | access-date=17 April 2012 | author=Khatiwada, Nabin | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413003906/http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=33797 | archive-date=13 April 2012 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of January 2013, host city and dates of the games were not yet confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-10-155789-SAG-may-be-shifted-from-India |title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News |access-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204001557/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-10-155789-SAG-may-be-shifted-from-India |archive-date=4 February 2015 }}</ref>

The [[International Olympic Committee]] banned the Indian Committee in March for political interference (the national government played a role in Olympic officials' selection). This delayed the event further as the ban was only lifted in May and the possibility of a low-cost edition of the games was raised among ongoing hosting discussions and poor relations with neighboring Pakistan due to the 2013 India–Pakistan border incidents.<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/sport-news/31789-athletics-south-asian-games-in-danger.html Athletics: South Asian Games in danger ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621145842/http://sundaytimes.lk/sport-news/31789-athletics-south-asian-games-in-danger.html |date=2013-06-21 }}. ''Sunday Times'' (Sri Lanka). Retrieved on 2013-06-19.</ref>

2 years later, on 11 February 2014, the [[International Olympic Committee]] decided to lift the ban.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian athletes at Sochi 2014 able to compete under own flag after Olympic suspension lifted|date=11 February 2014 |url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/1018336-indian-athletes-at-sochi-2014-able-to-compete-under-own-flag-after-olympic-suspension-lifted#.UvwO9ksaeME.facebook|access-date=13 February 2014}}</ref> Up until now, the Indian side competed in Olympic events such as the [[Winter Olympic Games 2010|Winter Olympic Games]] as independent participants.

A year later, on 5 June 2015, the uncertainty over the venue to host the 12th South Asian Games ended with the Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association deciding to hold the regional multi-sporting event in [[Guwahati]] and [[Shillong]] in November–December 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Uncertainty over SAG ends; Guwahati, Shillong to co-host Games|url = http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/uncertainty-over-sag-ends-guwahati-shillong-to-co-host-games_1608162.html|access-date = 2015-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = South Asian Games to be held from Dec 10-20|url = http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/south-asian-games-to-be-held-from-dec-10-20_1618814.html|access-date = 2015-07-03}}</ref> However, this was postponed even further to a tentative date of February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 12th South Asian Games to be postponed further|url = http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/12th-south-asian-games-to-be-postponed-further_1626839.html|access-date = 2015-08-13}}</ref>

[[United Liberation Front of Assam|ULFA]] anti-talks faction also pledged support to South Asian Games, which is opposite to its stand on [[2007 National Games of India]] held in Guwahati.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ulfa-anti-talks-faction-gives-support-to-South-Asian-Games/articleshow/50808778.cms|title=Ulfa anti-talks faction gives support to South Asian Games - The Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India |date=February 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

On 3 February 2016, International Basketball Federation (FIBA) stated that it will not recognise the competition because of "unacceptable interference by Indian Olympic Association in affairs of the Basketball Federation of India".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/FIBA-doesnt-recognise-12th-South-Asian-Games-basketball-in-jeopardy/articleshow/50831726.cms|title=FIBA doesn't recognise 12th South Asian Games, basketball in jeopardy|work=The Times of India|date=3 February 2016 |access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-south-asian-games-to-begin-tomorrow-after-several-rounds-of-delay-india-favourites-2173902|title=South Asian Games to begin tomorrow after several rounds of delay; India favourites - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=4 February 2016|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

Pakistani women's volleyball team is returning to [[South Asian Games]] after two decades - for the first time after their participation in [[1995 South Asian Games]], Madras where they had finished with a bronze medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pakistani-athletes-feeling-at-home-116020400498_1.html|title=Pakistani athletes feeling at 'home'|author=Press Trust of India|date=4 February 2016|access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Pakistani-athletes-feeling-at-home/articleshow/50849524.cms|title=Pakistani athletes feeling at 'home'|work=The Times of India|date=4 February 2016 |access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/sports/south-asian-games-pakistani-athletes-feeling-at-home-2002869.html|title=South Asian Games: Pakistani athletes feeling at 'home'|work=www.oneindia.com|access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref> Afghanistan and Pakistan basketball teams will not participate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/12th-south-asian-games-afghanistan-stays-away-pakistan-to-follow-suit/article8194619.ece|title=12th South Asian Games: Afghanistan stays away, Pakistan to follow suit|author=Stan Rayan|work=The Hindu|date=4 February 2016 |access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref> Union Home ministry had sanctioned {{INRConvert|60|c}} to the police authorities to upgrade their security apparatus for the South Asian Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/south-asian-games-provides-much-needed-modernisation-to-security-forces/story-WDw4yLZ9sxgwT4jQn0rIXP.html|title=South Asian Games provides much-needed modernisation to security forces|date=28 February 2016 }}</ref>

India granted special concession to Pakistani athletes taking part in the 12th South Asian Games by declaring Guwahati and Kolkata as designated entry points for them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/south-asian-games-india-gives-special-concession-to-pak-athletes/article8193743.ece|title=India gives special concession to Pak athletes for South Asian Games|author=PTI|work=The Hindu|date=4 February 2016 |access-date=7 February 2016}}</ref>

===Further political interference===
Initially, the [[Basketball]] event was scheduled to take place in 11 February, however [[FIBA]], Basketball's world governing body, decided to de-recognise the tournament on the grounds of political interference from the [[Indian Government]] and the [[Indian Olympic Association]]. This resulted in the entire event being cancelled, so rather having 228 events in 23 sports, the competition change to 226 events in 22 sports causing further scrutiny over the organization of the games.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Asian Games: Organisers scrap basketball event|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-south-asian-games-organisers-scrap-basketball-event-2175816|website=dnaindia|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>

== Doping at the 2016 South Asian Games ==
On February 7, 2016 after completion of [[Squash at the 2016 South Asian Games|squash event]], [[Nasir Iqbal]] was asked to give his sample by [[World Anti-Doping Agency|World Anti Doping Agency]] (WADA). First Sample was tested positive and later after 3 days another test got the result as negative. Although he challenged, after significant evaluation WADA decided to dismiss his appeal and banned him for 4 years, from February 19, 2016, to February 19, 2020.

Nasir Iqbal was also stripped off from the [[Squash at the 2016 South Asian Games|Squash]] Men's Singles Gold-medalist Title.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-07-01|title=Wada bans Nasir Iqbal for four years|url=https://nation.com.pk/01-Jul-2017/wada-bans-nasir-iqbal-for-four-years|access-date=2021-11-16|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!NOC
!Sport
!Stripped Off Medal
!Awarded
|-
|[[Nasir Iqbal]]
|{{Flagicon|PAK}} [[Pakistan at the 2019 South Asian Games|Pakistan]]
| [[Squash at the 2016 South Asian Games|Squash]]
(Men's Singles)
|{{Gold1}} Gold
|{{Flagicon|PAK}} [[Farhan Zaman]]
|}

==See also==
*[[2010 South Asian Games]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160320184016/http://www.southasiangames2016.com/ Official website]
*[http://www.webcast.gov.in/sag2016/ Video catchup on all events]
*[http://southasiangames2016.nic.in/includes/SAG_Final_Results.pdf Final Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028114701/http://southasiangames2016.nic.in/includes/SAG_Final_Results.pdf |date=28 October 2022 }}

{{South Asian Games}}

[[Category:2016 South Asian Games| ]]
[[Category:South Asian Games]]
[[Category:2016 in multi-sport events|South Asian Games]]
[[Category:2016 in Asian sport|South Asian Games]]
[[Category:2016 in Indian sport|South Asian Games]]
[[Category:International sports competitions hosted by India|South Asian Games, 2016]]
[[Category:Multi-sport events in India]]
[[Category:February 2016 sports events in India]]

2016 South Asian Games - Revision history

Miteshsoni at 04:46, 14 November 2025