1st South Asian Beach Games

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 5 .00 on 11^th October, 2011 to commemorate 1^st Asian Beach Games.

In their constant search for opportunities to provide athletes with varied competitions, sports administrators have come up with ideas of staging games in a different milieu. Thus sports such as Basketball, Football, Handball and Volleyball, etc… will be played on the beaches on specially prepared areas.

Taking a cue from these sport administrators those in charge of global activities responded with arranging festivals for these types of Games. Thus besides the Asian Games the Olympic Council of Asia organizes, the Asian Winter Games, the Asian Beach Games, Asian Youth Games and Asian Indoor Martial Art Games. Taking this a step further the South Asian Olympic Council has come up with the 1^st South Asian Beach Games.

Sri Lanka has been given the responsibility of staging the 1^st South Asian Beach Games which are scheduled to be held from 8^th to 14^th October 2011 at Hambantota. The choice of Hambantota for the venue is significant because, if their Bid succeeds Sri Lanka will be organising the Commonwealth Games at Hambantota in 2018.

The Organising Committee in charge of the 1^st South Asian Beach Games at Hambantota has arranged a comprehensive programme for these Games. During the short period of 7 days these games will be held, there will be competitions in ll disciplines as follows,

1. Beach Basketball

2. Beach Football

3. Beach Handball

4. Beach Kabaddi

5. Beach Netball

6. Beach Volleyball

7. Body Building

8. Equestrian

9. Life Saving

10. Swimming

11. Windsurfing

Seven Countries in the South Asian region have committed themselves to field athletes for competitions in most of the above disciplines. There will be over 500 athletes and officials coming to Sri Lanka for this event. i

The Organising Committee faced a stupendous task in arranging for accommodation, transport and other facilities for the visitors from abroad. In spite of these difficulties the Organising Committee has endevoured to organize the Games in a manner that would be fitting such a global event.