9th South Asian Games - Islamadab 2004
Islamabad hosted the 9th South Asia Federation Games from 29 March to 7 April, 2004 with a participation of approximately 2500 athletes and officials from eigth member countries together for 10 days of intense competitions in 15 sports. Afghanistan is first time included in these games. These games provided the countries of South Asia with an opportunity to go through a high level International Sports Competition and to raise the competitive level of all participants and contribute towards the development of the Olympic Movement. The inagural games took place in Kathmandu, in 1984 whereas the 4th edition of the games was also hosted by Pakistan in 1989. These games also provided an opportunity to the SAARC Countries to promote mutual understanding, harmony and friendship through sports forever. Earlier in 2001,these games were postponed in the wake of 9/11 attacks on U.S. which is a close ally of Pakistan.