Gogoi asks Centre to take responsibility for hosting SAF

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the state government had no objection to host the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games if the Centre takes the primary responsibility in this direction.
"If the Centre takes the responsibility to organise the SAF games in Assam, then we will extend all help and cooperation in this regard," Gogoi said in a statement here.
The state has the requisite infrastructure to organise the meet but the problem is with arranging necessary accommodation for the players.
"The flats, constructed to accommodate players during the National Games, has been already sold out and we will find it difficult to provide accommodation for the players," he said.

Gogoi urged the Centre to take steps in this direction following which the state government will have no problem in organising the SAF Games.
The Union Sports Ministry had proposed Guwahati and Shillong as possible venues for the Games.
The last SAF Game was held in Dhaka in 2010 and India was to host the next edition in 2012 but it got postponed after the Indian Olympic Association was banned by the IOC.
The ban was revoked last year after fresh elections to the body and now plans are afoot to ensure that the Games are held this year in November.