South Asian Games: A Comprehensive Overview

The South Asian Games (SAG), also known as the South Asian Federation Games until 2004, is a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes from South Asia, governed by the South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC). Established to foster regional unity and sportsmanship, it is one of the five subregional Games under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). This article covers the host countries, history, included sports, past and current events, India’s performance, participating members with website links, and regulatory bodies for all sports with official international and national (India, as an example) links.

When Did the South Asian Games Start?

The South Asian Games began in 1984 in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the inaugural edition featuring 7 countries, 5 sports, and 62 events. Initially held annually (1984–1987, except 1986 due to Commonwealth and Asian Games), they shifted to a biennial format post-1987, with occasional disruptions due to logistical or political issues. The SAOC, formed in 1983, oversees the Games under the motto “Peace, Prosperity, Progress.”

Countries Where the South Asian Games Are Held (Host Countries)

The South Asian Games have been hosted by 5 countries across 13 editions (as of 2019), with the upcoming 14th edition planned for 2026 in Pakistan. Host cities are selected by the SAOC to promote sports development in the region. Below is the list of past and future hosts:

Key Notes: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have hosted multiple editions. The 2026 Games will mark Pakistan’s third hosting. Afghanistan participated from 2004 to 2016 but left the SAOC to join the Central Asian Games.

Which Games (Sports) Are Included?

The South Asian Games feature up to 37 sports (planned for 2026), with a historical average of ~150–200 events per edition. The 2019 Games in Nepal included 26 sports and 317 events, the highest to date. Sports reflect Olympic disciplines, regional favorites (e.g., Kabaddi, Kho Kho), and emerging sports like 3×3 Basketball.

Full List of Sports (based on history up to 2019):

1. Archery
2. Athletics
3. Badminton
4. Baseball
5. Basketball
6. 3×3 Basketball
7. Boxing
8. Canoeing
9. Cricket
10. Fencing
11. Field Hockey
12. Football
13. Golf
14. Gymnastics
15. Handball
16. Judo
17. Kabaddi
18. Karate
19. Kho Kho
20. Rowing
21. Sailing
22. Shooting
23. Squash
24. Swimming
25. Table Tennis
26. Taekwondo
27. Tennis
28. Triathlon
29. Volleyball
30. Weightlifting
31. Wrestling
32. Wushu

Past vs. Current Events:

• Past (Discontinued/Introduced Earlier): Early editions (1984–1991) had fewer sports (5–10, e.g., Athletics, Swimming, Boxing). Sports like Baseball, Canoeing, and Wushu were introduced later (post-1990s). No sports have been permanently discontinued, but some (e.g., Golf, Triathlon) are included sporadically based on host capabilities.
• Current (Ongoing/Recent Additions): 3×3 Basketball (since 2019), Wushu, and regional sports like Kho Kho and Kabaddi remain staples. The 2026 Games are expected to feature 37 sports, potentially adding new disciplines like Esports (aligned with Asian Games trends).

Till Now, India’s Position

India has dominated the South Asian Games, topping the medal table in all 13 editions (1984–2019). In the all-time medal table:

• India’s Rank: 1st overall.
• Medals: 1,263 Gold, 736 Silver, 379 Bronze (Total: 2,378).
• Highlights: India’s dominance is consistent, with peaks like 188 Gold in 2016 (Guwahati/Shillong) and 175 Gold in 2019 (Nepal). Strong sports include Athletics, Wrestling, Shooting, Kabaddi, and Kho Kho.

All-Time Medal Table (as of 2019):

Performance by Year (India’s medals):

Members (Participating Nations) with Website Links

The South Asian Games involve 7 member nations under the SAOC, all recognized by the OCA. Afghanistan was a member from 2004 to 2016 but joined the Central Asian Games post-2016. Below are the current members with their National Olympic Committee (NOC) websites:

• Bangladesh: Bangladesh Olympic Association
• Bhutan: Bhutan Olympic Committee
• India: Indian Olympic Association
• Maldives: National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Maldives
• Nepal: Nepal Olympic Committee
• Pakistan: Pakistan Olympic Association
• Sri Lanka: National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka

Note: Links are sourced from IOC/OCA directories. For updates, visit OCA NOCs Page. Former member Afghanistan’s NOC: National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan (no longer in SAOC).

All Games in South Asian Games: Regulatory Bodies and Official Links (National/International)

Each sport is governed by an international federation (IF) for global rules, with Asian confederations (often linked to OCA) and national federations (e.g., India) managing regional and local events. Below is the list of sports with their regulatory bodies and links (international and Indian national as an example).

Notes:

• Links are current as of October 24, 2025, sourced from IOC/OCA and national federation websites.
• For sports like Triathlon, Canoeing, and Baseball, where Indian federations lack dedicated websites, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) link is used: sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in.
• Kho Kho, a regional sport, has a dedicated international and Indian federation due to its prominence in South Asia.
• For other countries’ national federations, refer to respective NOC websites or OCA’s directory: oca.asia/council/directory/.

Related Events

• South Asian Beach Games: First held in 2011 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, with India topping the medal table.
• South Asian Winter Games: First held in 2011 in Dehradun and Auli, India, with India as the top performer.

This content provides a detailed overview of the South Asian Games, addressing all requested aspects. If you need further details (e.g., specific edition breakdowns or additional related events), please let me know!