Logo , Mascot of 12th SAG unveiled in Guwahati

During the inaugural function held at the ITA Cultural Center Machkhowa in the city Assam CM said that the games being organised for the first time in the region will be held in the beautiful and unique landscape of the North East and it would be treat to the sportsperson of different countries.

“North East is a full of diversities and we need to strengthen these diversities by promoting unity and South East Games would be the right platform to promote unity among South Asian Countries. The State Government would do everything possible for making the South Asian Games a grand success,” Gogoi said.

Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said North East bears the testimony of being culturally rich and hospitable and these would go a long way in making the South Asiam Games a success.

The 12th South Asian Games will be held on Feb 6-16, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong.

At the launch ceremony the OC-SAG also kicked-off its Volunteers Programme which is open to the general public. After the unveiling ceremony, the mascot of the Games travelled around the city with the bikers from the Assam Bikers Group.

Artists from Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati performed at the event.

About 4500 sport persons and officials from 8 countries are expected to participate in 23 events in 12th South Asian Games.

Meghalaya Sports Minister Zenith Sangma also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier in July this year, the OC-SAG held an open design contest to invite logo and mascot designs for the 12th edition of the bi-annual international multi-sport event.

The Logo and the Mascot of the Games were selected from around 450 entries each.

Kolhapur’s Anant Khasbardar and Abhijeet Krishna of NIFT Patna won the mascot and logo designing contests respectively.

The logo has eight petals representing the countries participating in the 12th South Asian Games.

The petals are seen to be moving in a clockwise direction showing the positive spirit of the games.

The look also resembles a head gear that was given to the winners of games during the ancient times in Europe .

The Orchid represents the flavor of the region and a welcome stem to all participants of the Games.

The traditional Gamosa has been introduced to promote the tradition of the region and to connect the Games with the local people.

On other hand, the name of the Mascot for the Games is TIKHOR, who is the Brand Ambassador of the 12th South Asian Games, 2016.

TIKHOR is someone who is sharp, naughty, sporty and modern. He is all-rounder, active, energetic and popular among kids.

With traditional and sporty costumes, he is playing all games and welcoming every new idea in sports. He is motivator, friend and familiar to sports lovers of the region. Here he is a bugler with new harmony and new perspective. He is carrying the message or aspiration of peace, stability, amity and progress in the South Asian region.

Assam Agriculture Minister Rockybul Hussain, Sports Minisiter  Ajit Singh, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, President of Indian Olympic Association N. Ramachandran, Secretary, Sports Govt of India Rajib Yadav and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)