Bangladesh Men’s team will start campaign in the 12th South Asain Games (SAG) Football taking on Bhutan on February 9 at 5 pm at the Nehru Stadium in Ulubari, Guwahati.
The North East Indian city of Guwahati and Shillong will hosts the eight-nation 12th version of the South Asian Games, the biggest sports carnival of the region for the first time from February 5-16 next.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the 12-day meet on February 5 at Indira Ghandi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati.
Bangladesh men’s football team was placed in Group B of the six-team fray alongwith Nepal and Bhutan, will play their remaining group match against Nepal on February 11 at the same time and same venue. The Group A comprises hosts India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Later, two top teams from each of the groups will play in the semifinals on February 13, both at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Sarusajal, Guwahati.
The final and the 3rd place deciding match will be held on February 15 at the same venue.
Some 4300 athletes and officials from eight South Asian countries-Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka-are expected to participate 23 disciplines of sports for the 228 gold at stake.
The 12-day SA Games, the first of its kind in the North East India and the 3rd time in India after Kolkata and Chennai, will be held in 17 venues and Shillong and Guwahati.
Twenty three disciplines of sports of are: Athletics, Archery, Boxing, Badminton, Basketball, Judo, Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Taekwondo, Hockey, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Wushu, Football, Squash, Shooting, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, Cycling and Tennis.
The “Tokhor”, a baby rhino in sharp, naughty, sporty and modern named as games “Mascot, while “Ei Prithibi Ekhon Krirangon, Krira Hol Shantir Prangon” sung by the world famous musician late Dr Bhupen Hazarika selected as game theme song.
The opening ceremony will be held at 30,000 capacity Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati on February 5 while another opening ceremony for the athlete of Shillong will be held on February 6.
A biggest Bangladesh contingent of some 480-member including 241 men’s, 168 women’s and other officials are likely to participate in the games, leaving for India in three batches-on February 3, 4 and 8.
