2003 Afro-Asian Games
The 2003 Afro-Asian Games, officially known as the First Afro-Asian Games or I Afro-Asian Games and unofficially known as the Inaugural Afro-Asian Games, was a major international multi-sport event held in Hyderabad, India, from 24 October (excluding football and hockey, which began on 22 October and 23 October respectively) to 1 November 2003.
The logo (left) and mascot Sheroo (right) of the 2003 Afro-Asian Games. The logo shows the Charminar, Hyderabad's most famous landmark, surrounded by a string of pearls. The mascot is named Sheroo, a lion. | |
| Host city | Hyderabad-Secunderabad, India |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Two Continents, One Spirit" Theme song: Come Together To Celebrate Afro-Asian Games |
| Nations | 96 |
| Athletes | 2,040 |
| Sport | 8 |
| Events | 131 (75 men's events, 55 women's events, 1 combined event) |
| Opening | 24 October 2003 |
| Closing | 1 November 2003 |
| Opened by | L. K. Advani (Deputy Prime Minister of India) |
| Closed by | A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (President of India) |
| Athlete's Oath | Anjali Bhagwat |
| Main venue | Gachibowli Athletic Stadium |
| Website | afroasiangames.org |
The Afro-Asian Games was the largest sporting event ever to be held in Hyderabad, and one of the largest in India, second only to the 2010 Commonwealth Games by athletes' volume. The scale of these Games exceeds even the two Asian Games held in Delhi in 1951 (both by athletes' volume and by number of participating nations) and 1982 (by number of participating nations). More than 2000 athletes from 96 countries competed in the Games. A total of 131 sporting events in eight disciplines were conducted. Also, 120 countries sent 1,565 official representatives to these Games.
The first Afro-Asian Games were held after nearly two decades of delays, shifts and cancellations. The prolonged amount of time for these Games considerably reduced interest in them. After the preliminary decision of hosting the Games, the venue was shuttled between New Delhi and Kuwait City. At the last moment, New Delhi was out favoured by Hyderabad, which had hosted the National Games of India in 2002.
These Games, however, had lesser scope than the Asian Games or Commonwealth Games, since 96 nations participated in only eight disciplines. The Games witnessed only one new world record. Thirty-seven countries – an unprecedented 39% of the participating nations – won at least one medal in these Games.