Nepal clamps tough security on South Asian Federation games
Nepal clamps tough security on South Asian Federation games
KATHMANDU (AFP): Nepal's security personnel are imposing elaborate security drafting in martial arts experts ahead of the 8th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games starting here on Sept. 25.
King Birendra is to inaugurate the games at a ceremony with more than 18,000 spectators present in central Kathmandu.
Assistant Inspector General of Nepal Police and Chairman of the SAF Games Security Committee Dhal Man Thapa said more than 1,500 security personnel will be deployed.
"Besides, 500 to 700 karate experts and youth volunteers would be mobilized for the purpose under the committee," he said.
Smooth proceedings of the games could be threatened by the continuing India-Pakistan tensions and by Nepal's own ultraleft groups, sources said.
"The people's war launched by extreme left Maoist guerrillas against the monarch and the multi-party based democratic government since February, 1996 has already claimed nearly 950 lives and they are feared to create some disturbances during the sports events," one source said.
Following the assurances given by the hosts of special protection to Indian and Pakistan competitors, Sri Lanka too demanded similar steps for its contingent.
About 500 Sri Lankan Tamils, many suspected to sympathize with the Tamil Tiger guerrillas, are believed to be living in Nepal.
Fearing that terrorists could stream in through the India- Nepal border, officials said only five of 18 entry points would be open during the games.
"The Pakistani and the Indian sportsmen, women and athletes are vulnerable to security threats, but we are fully confident to avert and combat any act of terrorism", an official said.
All seven members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation grouping -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka -- are participating in the event.
China has provided financial aid of US$17 million for the construction of a new sports complex outside Kathmandu.
A total of $25 million is expected to be spent on the games, Program Management Chief Bishnu Gopal Shrestha told AFP.
"These Games are hoped to establish Nepal in the South Asian scenario as an ideal sports center and it is expected to boost tourism", Shrestha said.
According to the games organizers, some 1,069 athletes will compete for 332 medals in 12 disciplines including soccer, athletics, boxing and wrestling.
India as always will have the largest contingent with a total of 232 athletes. The host Nepal will have the second largest group with 222 competitors, followed by Sri Lanka with 198, Pakistan (157), Bangladesh (133), the Maldives (78) and Bhutan (49).
India has traditionally dominated the games, with Pakistan in second place.