South Asian Games

The scene shifted to Madras in 1995 where the seventh edition of the SAF Games was held from December 18 to 27. A record number of 14 disciplines were included in the games. Silambam and kho kho were the demonstration games. A sum of Rs 240 crore was allotted as budget for the conduct of this mega event. Men's hockey was included for the first time in the SAF games. India once again succeeded in taking a lion's share of the medals. A notable feature of these games was that all the previous records in the men's swimming except the one created in the 1500 metres freestyle event at Dhaka in 1993 by India's J. Abhijit, were shattered and new records were created. All the record breakers were Indians barring Karan Mijanurrehman of Bangladesh who claimed the top honours in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke events. Several landmark performances were recorded in the athletic section also. A Sri Lankan athlete set up a new games record in the 100 metres clocking 10.49 seconds