The XII South Asian Games was a major multi-sport event held at Guwahati and Shillong, India 5th to 16th February, 2016.

The programme of the Opening Ceremony started with the arrival of the day’s dignitaries and the chief guest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was welcomed with the sounding of bugles and a pleasing ovation.

The entry of the teams led by the Games mascot, Tikhor, and starting with Afghanistan and followed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was also greeted with warm applause.

Speeches by IOA president N. Ramachandran, Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma and Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi preceded the formal inauguration of the Games by the Prime Minister.

In his speech, Modi said the 12th South Asian Games being held here are not just a sporting platform but also a "springboard for bringing peace and prosperity in the region".

Declaring the Games open in a colourful ceremony here this evening, Modi also said the Games would help form lasting bonds between the participating athletes.

The sacred Games torch was thereafter brought to the stadium proudly by different indian athletes who digitally transferred the flame to the centre platform which touched the giant screen before reaching the giant cauldron.

This was followed by the entry of the South Asian Olympic Council flag which was hoisted alongside the flags of all the participating nations even as the Games hymn was played in the background.

Ghosal, as the India captain, took the oath on behalf of the participating athletes which also marked the end of the sports protocol segment and the entry of the artistes to take centrestage.

At the Closing Ceremony, Northeast India's diverse and colourful culture were in full display as the curtains were brought down on the 12th South Asian Games amid magnificent fireworks that lit the night sky. 

Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal declared the Games closed at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium to mark the formal end to the 12-day biggest multi-sporting spectacle of the eight SAARC countries, jointly co-hosted by Guwahati and Shillong. 

The Games flame at the cauldron was extinguished as the Guwahati night sky was lit with fireworks. The flag of the South Asian Olympic Council was lowered and handed over to the officials of next host country Nepal. 

Unlike the opening ceremony, the athletes did not come in the alphabetic order of the participating nations, signifying the less formal and more of festive and celebratory nature of the closing ceremony. 

They waved to the crowd all along as they took one lap of the stadium before joining the spectators at their allotted stands. 

Dressed in light blue tract suits, the Indian contingent led the athletes of the eight countries, followed by next Games hosts Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan.

Approximately 3.275 athletes and official from all the Eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, besides India) in the region participated in the 12th South Asian Games.

Participating Nations

8

Sports/Events

23
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi,  Kho-Kho, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu

The top three winners were: India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan

   Medal Tally of XII South Asian Games
 

 
   Pakistan Medal Tally in XII South Asian Games