-By K. P. Sharma

Sri Lanka, the emerging power-house in sports in South Asia, has been either second or third in the last six SAF Games. Sri Lanka’s see-saw with Pakistan for the second position will continue in the 8th SAF Games also, and the Sri Lankan Chef-de-Mission Jagath Jayasuriya is confident that the second position this time is theirs.

We can’t be first, but we are sure to be the first runner up, Jayasuriya told the Sunday Despatch. However, Dr. Seevalia Jayawikrama, medical officer of the Sri Lankan contingent feels that Kathmandu’s high altitude and cool climate may pose a challenge to the Sri Lankan players, especially athletes and swimmers- the two events they are strongest at.

Sri Lanka has a 213-strong contingent for the Games. Sri Lanka is taking part in all the 12 disciplines and in almost all the events.

We will get most of our gold medals in athletics. Our team is equally strong and competent in swimming and we can win at least 5 gold in swimming, says T. Reza Latif, deputy chef-de-mission of the Sri Lankan team.

But they say their players have now begun feeling comfortable.

Meanwhile, the absence of Sushantika Jayasinghe and Sugath Tilakaratne, due to injury and their busy schedules, could be a drag for the team. We have lost at least 5 certain gold medals by their absence, Jayasuriya says. But we also have equally deserving players and they will not let the duo’s absence feel. Sri Lankan team still has world class athlete in Damayanti Darsha.

The Sri Lankan team has come with its full preparation. They have brought a team of eight doctors and even their own cook. The team is staying at Hotel Narayani, Hotel Mountain, and in Aloha Inn.

The Sri Lankan Chef-de-Mission has all praise for Nepal’s hospitality. We do not have even a single complaint against the hospitality and the hotels we are residing at, he said. The sporting venues, he says, are very good, except the cold water at the swimming pool.

Despite their low capacity, the main stadium, swimming pool, Shahanshah sporting complex, covered halls and shooting ranges equals international standard, he says.

Talking about the development of sports in the South Asian region, Jayasuriya says that the hosting of the events counts a lot for the development of sports and says that Bhutan and The Maldives should also join hands in hosting the games. They can co-host the Games if one of them can’t host the complete Games.