Preparations on for upcoming South Asian Games

The governments of Assam and Meghalaya are reportedly working round the clock to host the 12th South Asian Games 2016 and make it a success.

As the 12th South Asian Games draw closer, Guwahati has rolled out a carpet for delegates and athletes from South Asian countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka besides India.

With a seating capacity of 30,000, the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium will host the games.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will declare the Games open on February 5.

Security agencies are leaving no stone unturned for the mega event.

"Elaborate security arrangements have been made. It is a very important event and a matter of pride for all of us that our state has been chosen for this event. So, detailed security arrangements have been made," said Mukesh Aggarwal, Guwahati's Police Commissioner.

India is hosting the regional multi-sporting event for the third time and this edition will see more than 2,000 athletes from South Asia.

Guwahati will host 16 disciplines and men's football while Shillong with host six discipline and women's football.

Meanwhile, Nepal's women's hockey team is practicing at the Hockey Astro Turf at Imphal's Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium.

The team comprises 18 players and three official staff members.

"We have come from Nepal. We don't have any hockey ground in Nepal that's why we have come for training in Manipur. We will practice on Turf and play with the players here," said Bimola Bhatta, one of Nepal's hockey players.

"We have come here for the training and I am very happy with the match between our hockey team and Manipur team as they got to know field marking and turf knowledge. This training is very good for the final SAG in Guwahati," said Rajendra Pathak, Women Hockey Coach, Nepal.

The event is being billed as the biggest landmark event in the history of both the states.