The 13th South Asian Games took place in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal, from 1st to 10th December 2019. Athletes from eight South Asian countries competed in 26 sports. The event highlighted regional talent and celebrated the spirit of sportsmanship.
Opening Ceremony
Nepal hosted a spectacular opening ceremony at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. The ceremony showcased Nepal’s rich traditions and included colorful performances. Religious figures and depictions of Buddha, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Shiva were part of the show.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari officially opened the Games in front of 30,000 spectators. The Bangladesh contingent entered first, followed by Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and finally Nepal.
Performers in blackbuck costumes, the Games’ mascot, led the march. The performance included the Lakhe dance, a cultural tradition of the Kathmandu Valley. Each country’s athletes were preceded by performers representing Panchakanya, Pancha Buddha, and Astamatrika, adding to the visual appeal.
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Four-time South Asian Games gold medalist Deepak Bista lit the torch, joined by Olympians Baikuntha Manandhar, Rajendra Bhandari, Nayana Shakya, Umesh Maskey, and Debu Thapa. The audience enjoyed the Pancha Baja traditional band, human chains forming Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, and a laser light show featuring the blackbuck mascot.
The ceremony also included performances representing Buddha, Shiva, Krishna, and other cultural figures, with 15,000 performers from the Nepal Army, police, and Armed Police Force. The event concluded with a fireworks display, marking Nepal’s return as a Games host after 20 years.
Participating Nations and Sports
- Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Sports (26): Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Wushu
Medal Table of XIII South Asian Games
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 174 | 93 | 45 | 312 |
| 2 | Nepal | 51 | 60 | 95 | 206 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 40 | 83 | 128 | 251 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 32 | 41 | 60 | 133 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 19 | 32 | 87 | 138 |
| 6 | Maldives | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| 7 | Bhutan | 0 | 7 | 13 | 20 |
| Total | 317 | 316 | 432 | 1065 |
Pakistan’s Medal Tally by Sport
| Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 5 | 2 | 6 | 13 |
| Badminton | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Beach Volleyball | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Boxing | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Fencing | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Handball | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Judo | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Kabaddi | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Karate | 6 | 8 | 5 | 19 |
| Shooting | 2 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
| Squash | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Swimming | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Taekwondo | 3 | 6 | 8 | 17 |
| Tennis | 0 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Volleyball | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Weightlifting | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Wrestling | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Wushu | 3 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
| Total | 32 | 41 | 60 | 133 |
Closing Ceremony
The Games ended on 10th December 2019 with a grand closing ceremony. Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel was the chief guest. During the ceremony, officials announced that Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games.
