South Asian athletes make light of security threat in Sri Lanka [Friday, August 18, 2006 - 9.50 GMT]

Associated Press, SANDEEP NAKAI - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Two thousand athletes from South Asian nations have arrived in Sri Lanka - for the 10th edition of the biannual South Asian Games, making light of security concerns that saw South Africa's cricketers abandon a tri-series cricket tournament this week. The multiple-sport regional competition featuring athletes from eight nations India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives, beside host Sri Lanka - has been in the spotlight after South Africa's jittery cricket team withdrew from a limited-overs tri-series citing security fears in the wake of a bomb blast Monday near the team hotel that killed seven persons.

Even as Sri Lanka - cricket officials were grappling with the embarrassment of South Africa pulling out of the tournament Wednesday, rejecting the upgraded security that is usually provided to visiting heads of state, South Asian athletes donning colorful uniforms were checking into the same hotels where the South African and Indian cricket teams are staying.

South Africa's cricket team, which has announced its decision to return home, is to leave Colombo late Thursday evening, while India's cricketers are staying put to play a three-match one-day series against the hosts.

Even as the deliberations about canceling the tour spread over three days, the South African players were seen shopping at a mall next to the team hotel, or going for a jog.

Unmindful of the controversy around South Africa's national squad, young cricketers from the St. John's College in Johannesburg, South Africa, are continuing their tour of Sri Lanka - , playing a match in the capital Thursday before heading for the temple town of Kandy.

Cautious of another violent incident marrying the South Asian Games, security agencies have made elaborate arrangement around the venues, team hotels and key roads in the city for the South Asian Games, easing the concerns of the participants.

``We're providing very tight security during the games,'' said Chandra Fernando, an inspector-general of police. ``Everyone entering the main Sugathadasa Stadium for the inaugural ceremony Friday will be searched.''

Suresh Kalmadi, chief of the Indian Olympic Association, expressed his satisfaction at the arrangements, adding that the organizers were addressing their security concerns like those of other participating nations.

``Any country hosting the South Asian Games has to look after some two thousand foreign athletes, it isn't the same as managing a cricket team of 15 players,'' Kalmadi said. ``India's contingent alone exceeds 400.''

``As members of the Olympic family we believe that sports promote peace and bring people together,'' Kalmadi said.

``The games are more relevant in these times for building bridges among people of South Asia,'' he said.

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Last Updated Date: August 18, 2006 -9.50 GMT