The 12th edition of the recently-concluded 2016 South Asian Games, hosted in Shillong, was the first international multi-sporting event in the North Eastern region.
More than 3000 athletes from 8 countries participated in the prestigious multi-discipline event. As expected, India dominated with a total of 308 medals.
The total medal count was:
Gold Medals: 188
Silver Medals: 90
Bronze Medals: 30
With the sheer size, economic strength and focus on lesser-followed sports, India has been improving their performance over the last decade in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and even Olympics.
As reported by DNA, the sports ministry has claimed that this edition of the Games has turned out to be the most economical multi-sports events conducted in India till date.
According to ministry, the Games cost merely Rs 308 crore
Opening ceremony cost: Rs 10 crore
Infrastructure: Rs. 133 crore
Security arrangements: Rs. 67 crore
10 km cycling track: Rs. 72 crore
Other facilities to the athletes: Rs. 36 crore
The 2010 Commonwealth Games cost around Rs 2,342 crore. Not just that, the cost of SAG is even less than the National Games held in Kerala last year which cost more than Rs. 400 crore.
This is what sports secretary Rajeev Yadav had to say:
"The Games were organised at a short notice of three months but we still managed to keep the budget low. The government will felicitate the medal winners. The gold medallists will get Rs 3 lakh, and the silver and the bronze medallists will receive Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively.”
Certainly, the most economical competition ever conducted in our nation. Cheers!
