The reasons this time are extreme weather conditions in Shillong and less preparation time for the participants.

“We have to consider every nation’s request,” said IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta. All the top brass of the National Olympic Committees of the eight countries of South Asia met in Delhi to decide the disciplines and finalise the dates.

However, after much deliberation the event was postponed.

“Not all the countries are happy with the December date. They feel that they need more preparation time. Moreover, they said December will be very cold in Shillong and it will not be conducive for competitions during that time,” Mehta said. “So, the South Asian Sports Council has decided to postpone these Games. It will most probably be held around February next year,” said Mehta, who is also secretary of SASC.

The Games will have at least 22 disciplines and a final decision on whether cricket will be included or not will be taken by the Organising Committee of the SAG in a meeting with Sports Ministry officials on Thursday. Mehta said that some countries wanted cricket to be included in the regional multi-sporting event though the BCCI is reportedly not keen to send a team for these Games. In any case, even if cricket is included in these Games, it will be a Twenty20 contest among Under-19 players.

The SAG, which may cost Rs 60 to 70 crore to the government, would see participation of around 2,500 athletes from the eight member-countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Games were to be held here in 2012 but they were postponed due to the Delhi elections that year and later ban of the IOA by the International Olympic Committee. The last edition of the SAG was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2010.

-The New Indian Express