5th-16th February, Guwahati & Shillong PLAY FOR PEACE, PROGRESS & PROSPERITY 5th-16th FEBRUARY, GUWAHATI & SHILLONG

PLAY FOR PEACE, PROGRESS & PROSPERITY

TABLE TENNIS 2 Welcome Message

ndia is once again proudly hosting the South Asian IGames in the cities of Guwahati and Shillong. The Organising Committee of the 12th South (OC-SAG) takes immense pleasure in presenting this Technical Handbook to you. Through this Handbook, we reserve to express our utmost gratitude to the Olympic Council (SAOC), the participating nations and the International Sports Federations (IF’s) for their close co-operation and support. Since, India promised its regional partners to deliver a remarkable multi- sporting festival in the stadia across Guwahati and Shillong, the OC-SAG has set the following objectives for itself to make the Games a memorable sporting extravaganza: 1. To deliver the best ever South Asian Games and leave behind an impressionable experience for everyone 2. To standardise every Games event and provide the best facilities to the participating athletes from the region at the highest level 3. To conduct the competitions with strict adherence to the Rules and Regulations of SAOC, Asian Federations (AF’s) and IF’s 4. To provide best hospitality services to all our guests and make the 12th South Asian Games 2016 not only successful but an equally memorable event We are confi dent that all the athletes, Games offi cials and new visitors to our country will take away fond memories, new friendships and wonderful experiences of their time in Guwahati and Shillong.

N. Ramachandran President- Indian Olympic Association (IOA) & Co-chairman OC-SAG

TABLE TENNIS 3 TABLE TENNIS 4 Message from Indian Olympic Association

he South Asian Games (SAG) are being held in India for the third time. TIt is the fi rst time an international event of this magnitude has come to the North East of India. Guwahati and Shillong shall be the host cities for the Games. The Games were previously hosted by Calcutta and Madras in 1987 and 1995 respectively. In this twelth edition of the international multi-sport extravaganza, we are expecting more than 4000 athletes from eight participating countries who will compete across 23 sporting disciplines. A great deal of planning is being undertaken by a body of experienced and dedicated workforce comprising members of the Organising Committee, Indian Olympic Association, the National Sports Federations, the Government of India and also the state governments of Assam and Meghalaya to ensure that the 12th South Asian Games 2016 are organised with due earnest and delivered successfully. I am fully confi dent that the athletes, offi cial, spectators and media will avail the best of services to enjoy this historic sporting spectacle. I wish all the best to each of the participating athletes. Be modest in your victory and gracious in defeat, and above all, enjoy the Games.

Rajeev Mehta Secretary General- IOA & Co-convener OC-SAG

TABLE TENNIS 5 TABLE TENNIS 6 Contents

Competition Schedule 8

SAOC Member Countries 10

Stakeholders 12 I. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) 12 II. Govt. of India 13 III. State Govt. of Assam 13 IV. State Govt. of Meghalaya 13 V. Organising Committee 14

Competition Information 15

About India 25 I. General Information 25 II. Map of India 26 III. Visiting North East India 27 IV. Map of Guwahati 30 V. Map of Shillong 30

TABLE TENNIS 7 COMPETITION SCHEDULE Day 1 Sr. CITY Sport Venue 5th Feb No. Fri Opening & Closing Indira Gandhi AthleƟ cs Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex 1 • Ceremonies 2 AthleƟ cs Indira Gandhi AthleƟ cs Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex 3 Basketball Nabin Ch. Bordoloi AC Indoor Stadium, Sarusajai 4 Cycling NH-37 Football (M) Nehru Stadium, R.G. Baruah Sports Complex and 5 Indira Gandhi AthleƟ cs Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex 6 Handball LNIPE, Tepesia, Sonapur 7 Hockey Moullana MD. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara 8 Kabaddi DTRP Indoor Stadium, R.G. Baruah Sports Complex, Ulubari 9 Kho Kho LNIPE Indoor Stadium, Tepesia, Sonapur GUWAHATI 10 ShooƟ ng ShooƟ ng Range, Kahilipara 11 Squash R. G. Baruah Sports Complex, Ulubari 12 Swimming Dr. Zakir Hussain AquaƟ c Complex,Sarusajai Sports Complex 13 Tennis All Assam Tennis AssociaƟ on, Chachal, VIP Road 14 Triathlon Dr. Zakir Hussain AquaƟ c Complex, Sarusajai Sports Complex 15 Volleyball Nabin Ch. Bordoloi Indoor Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex • 16 WeightliŌ ing Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Stadium, Dispur 17 Wrestling DTRP Indoor Stadium, R.G. Baruah Sports Complex, Ulubari

Opening and Closing Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex 1 Ceremony 2 Archery JLN Sports Complex Polo Ground, Shillong • Badminton SAI-SAG Centre, NEHU Campus, MulƟ purpose Hall 3 Boxing SAI-SAG Centre, NEHU Campus, MulƟ purpose Hall 4 Football (W) Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex 5 Judo Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Indoor Hall SHILLONG 6 Table Tennis Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Indoor Hall 7 Taekwondo NEIGHRIHMS Indoor Stadium 8 Wushu Indoor Hall, Assam Rifl es, Shillong The above schedule and venues may be changed subject to unavoidable circumstances

TABLE TENNIS 8 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 6th Feb 7th Feb 8th Feb 9th Feb 10th Feb 11th Feb 12th Feb 13th Feb 14th Feb 15th Feb 16th Feb Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

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TABLE TENNIS 9 South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC)

S O L I U C T N H U A O S C IA OLYMPIC The South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC), recognised by OCA, is the governing body of all sports in South Asia. The mission of SAOC is to organise and encourage sports in South Asia. Besides sports, the SAOC promotes Olympic values such as fair play, respect for others, friendship and goodwill among the youth of South Asia. The SAG in all their modalities are the exclusive properties of the SAOC. It will ensure the regular celebration of the SAG and provide fair and impartial competition. SAOC Member Countries consists of , , , India, , , and . SAOC Member Countries

Country Code Afghanistan AFG Bangladesh BAN Bhutan BHU India IND Maldives MDV Nepal NEP Sri Lanka SRI Pakistan PAK

TABLE TENNIS 10 Afghanistan Bangladesh

Bhutan India

Maldives Nepal

Pakistan Sri Lanka

TABLE TENNIS 11 STAKEHOLDERS

Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

Indian Olympic Association is the apex umbrella body for sports bodies in India and is responsible for preparing and selecting athletes for all major international events. The Games were allotted to IOA by the SAOC and are being hosted under the aegis of the IOA with the support of Government of India and State Governments of Assam and Meghalaya. The IOA has constituted the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) to manage and supervise the technical conduct of the Games and to ensure that the Games are held in accordance with International Federations rules and regulations and the constitution of South Asian Games. The IOA is committed to collaborating with the National Sports Federations and the Government of India, to prepare the best possible team for the 12th South Asian Games.

TABLE TENNIS 12 Ministry of Youth Aff airs & Sports, Government of India

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Ministry of Youth Aff airs & Sports is the nodal agency of the Government of India for the development & promotion of sports in the country. The ministry is providing all support for the 12th South Asian Games. It has a key role as mentioned below for the successful delivery of the Games. • Providing funds to the Government of Assam, Government of Meghalaya and other stakeholders for sport and related infrastructure as well as to the Organising Committee for the conduct of the Games. • Reviewing and monitoring the delivery of the Games through the Internal Working Group, a Committee headed by Mr. Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports), MoYAS, Government of India. • Providing assistance for obtaining approvals from MHA, MEA and MoCA for visa purposes and necessary support required at Guwahati Airport.

State Governments of Assam & Meghalaya

The State Governments of Assam & Meghalaya are the key delivery partners of the Games, which are responsible for venue development as well as local support such as security, medical facilities, etc for the Games. The host Governments will be making all arrangements for providing an enjoyable experience to all the visitors during the Games.

TABLE TENNIS 13 Organising Committee – 12th South Asian Games 2016

The OC-SAG is the apex committee for the management and organisation of the Games. The OC-SAG was set-up on 29th June, 2015 under the chairmanship of Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Aff airs & Sports, Government of India and Mr. N. Ramachandran, President IOA is the co-chairman. Mr. Jarnail Singh is the Secretary General and Mr. Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General IOA is the Co-convenor of the OC-SAG. The GTCC constituted by the IOA is headed by Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, Vice-President IOA; and Mr. Rakesh Gupta and Dr. S. M. Bali, Joint-Secretaries IOA are the Deputy Chairpersons. Mr. Injeti Srinivas, Director General – Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the CEO (Guwahati) and Mr. R. K. Sharma is the CEO (Shillong) for the Games. The OC-SAG is the organisation responsible for the conduct and delivery of these games.

OC-SAG is currently comprised of 16 functional areas namely:

1. Accommodation 9. Procurement 2. Accreditation 10. Offi ce Administration 3. Ceremonies 11. Security 4. Communications 12. Sport 5. Coordination, Planning & Project 13. Technology Management 6. Finance 14. Transport 7. Marketing 15. Venue Development, Overlays & Operations 8. Medical & Anti-Doping 16. Volunteers

TABLE TENNIS 14 Competition History: Table Tennis Table tennis fi rst appeared at the Rome 1960 Paralympic Games and took almost 30 years to fi nally become an Olympic sport, in Seoul 1988. Table tennis was invented in England around 1880, as an improvised after-dinner game using a champagne-cork ball, cigar-box lids as bats and piles of books as a net. Table tennis is considered the most popular racquet sport in the world, with over 300 million players in fi ve continents. The top players can spin the ball at up to 9,000 revolutions per minute.

TABLE TENNIS 15 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)

Ms. Judit Farago CEO

Mr. Thomas Weikert President

Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) President

Tony Yue Hon. Secretary General

South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) N Ramachandran President

Rajeev Mehta Secretary General

TABLE TENNIS 16 Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Chairman

Rakesh Gupta S M Bali Deputy Chairman

Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Prabhat C Chaturvedi President

D R Choudhary Secretary General

Chiranjib Choudhury Competition Director

Dr. Subhash Basumatary Director (Sports Functional Area)

Organising Committee - 12th South Asian Games (OC-SAG) Nidhi Bhawan, Lalmati-Basistha NH-37, Guwahati (Assam) PIN - 781029 INDIA Phone: +91 361 2300052 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.southasiangames2016.com

TABLE TENNIS 17 Competition Information

Dates The 12th South Asian Games Table Tennis Competition will be held in India (Shillong) from 6th – 10th, February,2016.

Venues • Competition Site J.N Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Polo Shillong 793001, Meghalaya

• Training Site UTSIndoor Hall, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong 793001, Meghalaya.

Events Table Tennis competition will consist of the following events : • Men – Singles – Doubles – Team event • Women – Singles – Doubles – Team events • Mixed Doubles.

Time Schedule Day One : 6th February, 2016 08:30 10:00 Women’s Team Round 1 10:00 11:30 Men’s Team Round 1 11:30 13:00 Women’s Team Round 2 13:00 14:30 Men’s Team Round 2 Day Two: 7th February, 2016 10:00 11:30 Women’s Team Round 3 11:30 13:00 Men’s Team Round 3 14:00 15:30 Women’s Team Semi Finals 15:30 17:00 Men’s Team Semi Finals 17:00 19:00 Women’s Team Finals 19:00 21:00 Men’s Team Finals FOLLOWED BY AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY

TABLE TENNIS 18 Day Three: 8th February, 2016 10:00 10:30 Women’s Singles Round 1 10:30 11:00 Men’s Singles Round 1 11:00 11:30 Women’s Singles Round 2 11:30 12:00 Men’s Singles Round 2 12:00 12:30 Women’s Singles Round 3 12:30 13:00 Men’s Singles Round 3 14:00 14:30 Women’s Doubles Round 1 15:00 15:30 Men’s Doubles Round 1 16:00 16:30 Mixed Doubles Round 1 17:00 17:45 Women’s Singles Quarter Finals 17:45 18:30 Men’s Singles Quarter Finals 18:45 19:15 Mixed Doubles Quarter Finals 19:15 19:30 Women’s Doubles Quarter Finals 19:30 20:00 Men’s Doubles Quarter Finals 20:15 20:45 Mixed Doubles Semi Finals Day Four: 9th February, 2016 10:00 10:45 Women’s Doubles Semi Finals 10:45 11:30 Men’s Doubles Semi Finals 15:00 15:45 Women’s Singles Semi Finals 1 15:45 16:30 Women’s Singles Semi Finals 2 16:30 17:15 Men’s Singles Semi Finals 1 17:15 18:00 Men’s Singles Semi Finals 2 18:30 19:15 Mixed Doubles Finals FOLLOWED BY AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR MXD Day Five: 10th February, 2016 10:30 11:15 Women’s Finals Doubles 11:15 12:00 Men’s Doubles Finals FOLLOWED BY AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR MD/WD

TABLE TENNIS 19 15:00 16:00 Women’s Singles Finals 16:00 17:00 Men’s Singles Finals FOLLOWED BY AWARD PRSENTATION CEREMONY FOR SINGLES Participants • Eligibility: Only Competitors belonging to NOCs of Member countries of SAOC and complying with the Constitution and Rules of the International Table Tennis Federation as well as those of the Asian Table Tennis Union are entitled to participate in the 12th South Asian Games. • Each participating country can enter a maximum of one Men and One women team. • Each team will consist of maximum 5 players in men and 5 players in women. • Each country can enter maximum 2 players each in Men and Women Singles and two pair each in Men Doubles, Women Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Entries • Preliminary Entry (By Number) The Preliminary entry By number from all countries must be received by the OC-SAG with intimation to the National Olympic Committee of India by 10th December, 2015. • Final Entry (By Name) The fi nal entry By Name of all the competitors/team offi cials must be received by the OC-SAG with intimation to the National Olympic Committee of India not later than 5th Jan 2016. after expiry of the deadline prescribed for the fi nal entry, no addition/change of competitors will be allowed.

Competition Rules and Regulations The 12th South Asian Games Table Tennis Competition will be conducted in accordance with the latest rules of the International Table Tennis Federation. Any unforeseen cases not covered by the Rules and Regulations shall be dealt with accordingly in the following manner :

TABLE TENNIS 20 • Technical question shall be resolved in accordance with the ITTF Rules and Regulations. • Cases of a general nature shall be resolved in accordance with the SAOC Constitution.

• Team Event All team are divided into 2 groups where they will play the league matches. Two teams to qualify for the second stage, which will be on knock out basis.

• Team Match Systems The team match system that is followed in World Championships may be followed with the New Swaythling Cup System of 5 singles. The order of play shall be as follows. (Minimum three players required for a team) 1. A Vs X 2. B Vs Y 3. C Vs Z 4. A Vs Y 5. B Vs X All matches to be decided by best of 5 games. System of Play • Men’s and Women’s Team • Stage I: 2 Groups of 3 to 4 each Teams (League) : Two Teams to qualify • State II: Knock out

Individual Event Men’s and Women’s Singles • First Stage: 4 Groups of 3-4 players each Two player to qualify from each group to the Main Draw. League matches all best of 5 games. • Second Stage : Main Draw

TABLE TENNIS 21 • Second Stage will be draw of 8 on knock out basis. • Played on knock out basis to determine position 1, 2 an joint 3. • All matches to be decided by best of 7 games. Double Events All Double Events will be played on knock out basis. All matches will be decided by best of 7 Games. Ranking and Seeding The following methods will be used for ranking and seeding purposes :- • Men’s and Women’s Singles Events Latest World ranking issued by the ITTF at the time of draw. • All Doubles Events as approved by TD Ranking will be done and approved by TD Implements and Equipment All Equipment provided for the Table Tennis competition will be in accordance with the ITTF Rules and Regulations in eff ect at the time of the South Asian Games. The Training Court area will be set up with 6 Table Tennis Tables of the same brand as the Match Courts. Balls (the same as match balls) will be provided sparingly. BALLS - 40+Stag white in colour TABLES - STAG (ITTF Approved) NETS - STAG (ITTF Approved)

Racquet Control and Glue Testing Racquet covering material and clothing must be the type approved by the ITTF, Glue testing will be compulsory as required by ITTF Rules and qualifi ed offi cials will be appointed by TTFI to conduct the test.

TABLE TENNIS 22 Draws The drawing of lots for the Competition would be conducted by the Referee in the presence of Technical Committee and offi cials of the participating countries before the commencement of the event. The schedule of play would be issued after the Draw. Medical • Doping Control • Doping control tests will be carried out according to the rules and instructions of IOC, ITTF and SAOC. • The Anti-Doping control will be done under the directions of the SAI Organising Committee Medical Commission and under ITTF and WADA Rules. • Medical Facilities • Medical facility will be available at the accommodation and competition venues. Protests All protests and appeals shall be submitted in accordance with ITTF Rules. A protest fee of US $ 50 will accompany each protest, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld. Management Information 1. Competition Management Table Tennis Federation of India and 12th South Asian Games Technical Committee shall be responsible for organization and management of Table Tennis Competition under the guidance of NOC and ATTU. 2. Technical Organisation • Technical Delegate The services of Technical Delegate shall be acquired from Asian Table Tennis Union for supervising the competitions. He will be provided with free boarding, lodging, transport and other facilities as per existing rules.

TABLE TENNIS 23 • Technical Offi cials Maximum number of Technical Offi cials shall be appointed from the host country, India. However, one Technical offi cials each from the participating country may be nominated. They shall be entitled to facilities as per existing rules.

3. Jury of Apeal • Chairman Shall be appointed by Table Tennis Federation of India. • Members One member from each participating country to be nominated by the respective Federation. 4. Dress • The competitors must wear dress as prescribed by the rules of the International Table Tennis Federation. • During competition, each athlete is expected to compete in their offi cial NOC team uniform. • It is imperative that Table Tennis athletes display their name and nation on the back of their competition uniform. Athletes should attend all medal ceremonies in their offi cial NOC team tracksuit wearing the top and the trousers.

5. Commendation • Victory and Award Ceremonies The victory and award ceremony shall be held after the completion of each match in front of the Victory stand. Medal and Flower bearers will take their positions. Medal winners will be escorted to the podium. The medals and fl owers will be presented by the SAOC President or his Special Invitees. The National Anthem of the gold medal winner(s) will be played and the country fl ags of the medallists will be hoisted. Medal winners must wear their NOC Offi cial Sport Uniform. • Prizes The prizes for the Table Tennis Competition will be as follows :

TABLE TENNIS 24 Singles » First Prize : Gold Medal and a Diploma for the winner. » Second Prize : Silver Medal and a Diploma for the athlete placed second. » Third Prize : Bronze Medal and a Diploma for both the semi fi nalist.

Team Event – Doubles – Mixed Doubles » First Prize : Gold Medal and a Diploma for each member of the winning team or Doubles. » Second Prize : Silver Medal and a Diploma for each member of the team or Doubles placed second. » Third Prize : Bronze Medal and a Diploma for each member of the team or Doubles Semi Final Loosers.

6. Interview with the Media Facilities for media interviews will be provided after the Victory Ceremony.

Technical Meeting The Technical Meeting will be held at 11:00 A.M. on 5TH February 2016 at Venue/Hotel. Maximum of two (02) Offi cial representatives from each participating country may attend the meeting.

Approval of Technical Handbook This Technical Handbook has been approved by the Asian Table Tennis Union.

TABLE TENNIS 25 Transportation A comprehensive transport system for athletes, team offi cials and technical offi cials will be available exclusively for the SAG 2016 Games. This will include- 1. Transportation of the delegates from Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to the place of accommodation. Regular shuttle service from accommodation to offi cial competition venues and training venues. 2. Special transportation services for the opening and closing ceremonies. 3. Departure service from the accommodation to the airport.

Athletes Accommodation Diff erent three star hotels will accommodate athletes, team offi cials during the period from February 3rd - 17th, 2016. OC-SAG 2016 and the hotel management will provide all possible assistance to the athletes and the offi cials to make them feel comfortable and homely. It is our intention to provide best hospitality services to all our guests and make the 12th South Asian Games 2016, a memorable event.

Medical Services A First-aid and Emergency Medical Service First Response will be provided during the SA Games to all participants at the competition and training venues. The service will comprise of a dedicated medical team supported by an ambulance service. Medical services will also be ensured at the accommodation for the athletes and offi cials which will include sports medicine, physiotherapy, general medicine, consultancy services and a 24 hour emergency services for acute needs. If patients require more specialized medical care, they will be transported to the SAG nominated hospitals and clinics. Any non-emergency care provided outside will be the expenses of the individual concerned.

TABLE TENNIS 26 TABLE TENNIS 27 *OC-SAG

TABLE TENNIS 28 INDIA ndia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety Iand rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress during the last 68 years of its Independence. India has become self-suffi cient in agricultural production and is now one of the top industrialized country in the world and one of the few nations to have gone into outer space to conquer nature for the benefi t of the people. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity. Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

Capital New Delhi Indian Standard Time GMT + 05:30 Area 3.3 Million sq. km Telephone Country Code +91 Border Countries Afghanistan and Pakistan to the north-west; , Bhutan and Nepal to the north; to the east; and Bangladesh to the east of West Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea, formed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. There are 29 States and 7 Union Territories in the country. From the largest to the smallest, each State/UT of India has a unique demography, history and culture, dress, festivals, languages etc. The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saff ron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. At the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel, which is a representation of the Ashoka Chakra at Sarnath.

TABLE TENNIS 29 VISITING NORTH EAST INDIA

eemed as ‘Paradise Unexplored’, the North East India – a region with suave Dhills, carpeted with greenery, makes it one of the most mystic and perhaps the most beautiful region of the country. A land, where the eastern tresses are weaved with magnifi cent mountains with the sun sprinkling its fi rst ray; the mighty Brahmaputra here gurgles from narrow to broad, while the rich wildlife meanders in the green pastures. Not to miss out, this enchanting destination also showcases the perfect bond formed by the tribal and racial affi nity. And this gives a glimpse to the matchless beauty and enigmatic appeal of North East India. Belonging to the eastern Himalayan belt and Brahmaputra plains, this region is known for its extremities as it covers the eastern frontiers of India with China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This natural paradise is a blend of the eight sister states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Popularly known as the gateway city to the Northeast India, Assam, one of the vibrant Northeastern states, is a verdant land with unparalleled serenity, a cache of fl ora and fauna and mesmerizing aroma of tea, which gives a divine

TABLE TENNIS 30 awakening to ones soul and the home of great one-horned rhino located in the famous world heritage site ‘Kaziranga National Park’ along with the other wildlife areas. One can also discover Assam visiting the world famous village of Sualkuchi also called the Silk Paradise. The state of Meghalaya, also known as ‘Abode of Clouds’, once the Summer Capital of the East India Company, stands out as a Cavers’ Paradise and magnifi cent waterfalls. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is famous for its music and scenic beauty.

Northeast India is a land of festivities. The constituent population for the most part being tribal, festivities are aff airs that bring to the fore the most vibrant, meaningful and colorful display of weaves, art, music and food variety in store, something which is unique and staple to each tribe and community. So, visiting the Northeast is by itself an adventure of a kind. It is such a place which can be visited throughout the year as the climate of remains pleasant, however, the best time is from September to March. Everyone who has set foot on its scape is left lured to no end. Welcome to the Northeast where, myth and history intertwine smoothly!

TABLE TENNIS 31 WEATHER IN FEBRUARY Guwahati February is perhaps the best time to visit the city of Guwahati with average temperatures around pleasant 19 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures can be around 26 degrees Celsius with lows of around 11.9 degrees Celsius. The city receives scanty rainfall during the month of around 2 cm. These pleasant weather conditions make the city a tourist hot spot during the weather with visitors fl ocking in from every nook and corner of the country to visit the city as well as the entire north east region.

Shillong The hilly city experiences chilly winters during the months of December and January but February marks the onset of spring in the city with average temperatures around 13.1 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures can be around 17.3 degrees Celsius with lows of around 8.9 degrees Celsius. The city receives very little precipitation during the month with average recorded rainfall of around 3cm.

TABLE TENNIS 32 *OC-SAG Map of Guwahati *Shillong Police Map of Shillong

TABLE TENNIS 33 River Brahmaputra

Mawsmai Falls, Cherapunjee, Meghalaya

TABLE TENNIS 34 NOTES ORGANISING COMMITTEE - 12th SOUTH ASIAN GAMES (OC-SAG) Nidhi Bhawan, Lalmati-Basistha NH-37, Guwahati (Assam) PIN - 781029 INDIA Phone: +91 361 2300052 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.southasiangames2016.com