ISLAMABAD, The eight days of strong challenges, intense rivalry and fierce competition all in the spirit of friendship and festivity on Friday came to end with the closing of the fourth SAF games here.
Even as the curtain went down on the games with Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto presiding over the ceremony, the spectacular opening function sprang up from the depths of memory.
India’s domination, expected by millions in the South Asian Region, given its experience, was not quite in the same measure as in the three earlier editions, Pakistan, making a determined bid to draw abreast, ‘caught the eye.
The rise of Pakistani track and field stars, the victories of its football and volleyball squads, its table tennis team’s securing the country’s women their first international.
medal and the 400m relay quartet taking ‘bronze on first attempt will remain fresh in memory,
For India, despite the hefty bagful of hundred and four medals, only Khajan Singh Tokas, king of the pool, the women’s near sweep of 10 golds in Athletics, the domination of weightlifters and wresters in the face of strong support for the locals.
The colorful fireworks display that lasted all of 15 minutes was quite the highlight of the ceremony before the games mascot, the dancing horse, was taken out of the stadium, bidding a sad goodbye to the participants. (PTI).
ISLAMABAD,: India completed its campaign in the fourth SAF games with a tally of 49 golds, 35 silvers and 20 bronze the final day here Friday.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 3, 1989
