Govt brought Afghan athletes for SAG in chartered flight: CEO

South Asian Games Chief Executive Officer Injeti Srinivas today disclosed that India brought 184 athletes from Afghanistan to participate at the 12th SAG here in a special chartered flight considering the situation in that country.
Briefing the media at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Srinivas said that the action was taken in keeping with the spirit of the Games.
When the journalists listed the problems faced by them in covering the Games, Srinivas mentioned the positive things the SAG has brought.
"Within a day's time, Indian Government brought in 184 athletes from Afghanistan to Guwahati using a special chartered flight. The action was taken in an unprecedented move by the Government of India in keeping with the spirit of the Games," he said.

He said representatives of the host and participating countries have appreciated the efforts put in by the Games organisers for a glittering, grand and successful opening ceremony last evening.
"It demonstrated the power of sports which highlighted the unifying factors for peace, progress and prosperity amongst the South Asian nations."

The CEO said efforts have been made to put all results in the website of the SAG within five minutes of the official declaration of the results.
He said Doordarshan is covering all the events live and providing feeds to the participating countries including private channels.
Responding to media feedback, the CEO said that the profiles of athletes will be uploaded in the SAG website very shortly and said that measures were already in place to tackle any issues which may arise during the period of the Games.

Srinivas, also the Director General of Sports Authority of India, said security in all venues, including hotels, have been kept tight.