India brought Afghanistan athletes in chartered flight: Pakistan envoy impressed with SAG 2016

New Delhi: South Asian Games Chief Executive Officer Injeti Srinivas on Saturday revealed that India had brought 184 athletes from Afghanistan to participate at the 12th South Asian Games in a special chartered flight considering the situation in that country.

"Within a day's time, Indian Government brought in 184 athletes from Afghanistan to Guwahati using a special chartered flight. The action was taken in an unprecedented move by the Government of India in keeping with the spirit of the Games," Srinivas said.

He said representatives of the host and participating countries have appreciated the efforts put in by the Games organisers for a glittering, grand and successful opening ceremony last evening.

"It demonstrated the power of sports which highlighted the unifying factors for peace, progress and prosperity amongst the South Asian nations."

In between, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit appreciated the way the games are being hosted by India.

"Today met Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, who appreciated law and order situation of Assam," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi tweeted.

Today met Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, who appreciated law & order situation of #Assam. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/0MQtV04DKd — Tarun Gogoi (@tarun_gogoi) February 6, 2016

"He also appreciated the arrangement and facilities put in place for the South Asian Games 2016," Gogoi added, along with a picture of Basit with the traditional Assamese honour of a gamocha on him.

He also appreciated the arrangement & facilities put in place for the #SouthAsianGames2016. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/RpPe6AivrF — Tarun Gogoi (@tarun_gogoi) February 6, 2016

A 436-member Pakistani contingent is taking part in the Games being hosted in the capitals of Assam and Meghalaya in India's northeast.

Inaugurating the event on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Games would become a springboard for bringing peace and prosperity in the South Asian region "through business, interaction and sporting activities".

The multi-sport event takes place from February 5 to 16 in Guwahati and Shillong.