ISLAMABAD, 30 March 2004 — The ninth edition of the South Asian Federation (SAF) games, the biggest sporting gala in the region, was launched in Islamabad last night by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf with an Olympic-style opening ceremony.

The competition involving Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will continue until April six. Afghanistan is taking part for the first time since the games were launched in Nepal in 1984.

The 9th SAF Games were thrice postponed due to varying factors, the last being held in 1999. It could not be held last year in Islamabad as India did not confirm its participation.

“It is essentially a goodwill event in a changing scenario,” India’s Secretary of Sports, Rajiv Srivaste had said on Sunday in an obvious reference to the recent thaw in ties between two major regional countries - Pakistan and India.

Players of Pakistan and India would be the main rivals in all 15 disciplines while those from Sri Lanka and Nepal were also expected to put up a decent show.

India was far ahead of the rest of the pack at Katmandu in September 1999, taking top spot on the medal table with 102 gold medals.