Nepal declares 13th South Asian Games open with grandeur

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 02 (ANI): Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari formally inaugurated the 13th edition of the South Asian Games (SAG) with grandeur and fanfare. The Nepali President declared the multi-sports event of SAARC open at the newly-constructed Dasarath stadium in the presence of about 30,000 people. The inaugural ceremony kicked off with a march by athletes from the SAARC countries -- India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The SAG's torch was brought to the stadium after it was toured in all seven countries. The ceremony saw a glittering performance of a troupe of 7,500 artists and students, who performed the traditional Lakhe dance, in the stadium, that was decked with lights, flowers, frills, and flags. The ceremony was marked with the bursting of fireworks amid the cheers and applause of spectators at the stadium. 'Krishnasaar (blackbuck antelope) is the official mascot of the 13th SAG. The SAG is being held in Nepal for the third time an