The first Afro-Asian Games came to a close with a glittering finale in Hyderabad. President APJ Abdul Kalam was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. Three golds in tennis, two in boxing and a memorable win against Pakistan in hockey on Friday helped India finish second behind China.
India ended the games with 19 gold, 31 silver and 21 bronze for a total of highest 71 medals by any country. China finished on top with 25 gold, 11 silver, and five bronze. Japan was at third place with 15 gold, six silver, two bronze. Nigeria finished fourth with 10 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze while South Africa was just behind with 10 gold, 11 silver, and 15 bronze.
The games, which featured eight sports of athletics, field hockey, swimming, weightlifting, shooting, boxing, football, and tennis, brought together for the first time athletes from Africa and Asia. Some 3,000 athletes from 65 African and Asian countries took part in the games. The games, which were originally scheduled in November 2001 at the national capital were postponed after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Highlights
Africa was the clear leader in the athletics, winning 73 medals as compared to Asia's 47, even though the maximum number of nation-wise medals were garnered by Asian nations (China and India).
Four-time Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks (Namibia) won the 200 meters race – the last major tournament win of his distinguished 17-year-long career.
Indian tennis player Sania Mirza won four gold medals in the tournament, thereby becoming the largest gold-medal winner in the tennis tournament.
Sun Dan, a 19-year-old Chinese Army officer of the 75-kg category, lifted a weight of 168.5 kg, breaking the previous world record of 168 kg (set by her compatriot Tang Gonghong). In addition, Nigerian athlete Mike Samson hoisted a weight of 210 kg, which was the heaviest weight ever lifted in India according to the organizers.
Asia won the dual-continental event with 82 gold medals, against Africa's 49
Logo
The logo of the Afro-Asian Games was the Charminar- Hyderabad's most famous landmark - surrounded by a string of pearls. Hyderabad is also famous for its pearls. The official logo of the Games was unveiled, along with the official website, by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on September 3, 2003.
Mascot
The Mascot for these Games was Sheroo, also spelled Sheru, a cartoon lion. Subsequently, a variation of the name 'Sheroo', called 'Shera', would be given for the mascot of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Sponsorships
Several Indian corporates such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GVK Group and State Bank of Hyderabad provided sponsorships worth INR 10 million each towards the staging of several events of the inaugural Games. Several other corporates such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Videocon and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) also contributed to the Games. Also, Florida-based IMG Academy assisted in the conduct of the Games.
Medal Tally:
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