The SAF Games came into existence as the power of sports was recognised as an essential too to strengthen the SAARC movement. It was felt that a sports organisation should be formed for countries located in South Asia similar to the South East Asian Games (SEA Games) which proved to be popular and was recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia. The concept was discussed by officials of the countries in South Asia in 1982 and later at a meeting in Bahrain in 1983. A decision was then taken regarding formation of the South Asia Sports Federation. The membership was limited to the eight countries in the region, namely India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. The idea and the games acquired a formal shape in 1984 when Kathmandu spruced itself to play host to the first SAF Games. Barring Afghanistan all the member-countries called upon its young sportsmen to show their sporting skills on this new platform.
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