By Our Reporter Nepal has managed not only to successfully hold the 13th edition of South Asian Games, but also made a record by winning 51 gold medals. Until a few months ago, holding the SAG was uncertain owing to lack of infrastructure. But in four months, the country prepared the sports infrastructure damaged four years ago in the devastating earthquake. Interestingly, the rebuilt infrastructure was better than the previous one. SAG was held in four cities of three States: Kathmandu and Lalitpur of State 3, Pokhara of Gandaki State and Janakpur of State 2. All the events, including the closing and opening ceremonies were held amidst much fanfare. The government lavishly spent in both the opening and closing ceremonies. Both Sports Minister Jagat Bishwakarma and member secretary of National Sports Council Ramesh Silwal proved their mettle by successfully holding the regional event. Moreover, Nepal was placed in the second position after India, and the hard work of the players is highly laudable. They won medals for the country despite facing several problems. They played wearing old shoes, riding old cycles and borrowing guns from the Pakistani players. Yet Nepal won the highest number of gold medals in the 13th edition of SAG at 51. In the 8th edition of the SAF Games held in Kathmandu in 1999, Nepal had won 31 gold and was also placed in the 2nd position. Players also made individuals records. Swimmer Gaurika Singh won 4 gold, Nepal defended gold in football by defeating Bhutan in the final on the closing day of the 10-day event. India, as in the past, dominated SAG winning 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze and Nepal became second in the medal tally with 51 gold,60 silver and 95 bronze followed by Sri Lanka with 40 gold. Bhutan failed to win any gold but won 7 silver and 13 bronze. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in his video message to the concluding ceremony on Tuesday praised organisation of the regional sports fiesta in Nepal terming it as historic and successful. He said the games had enhanced unity and friendship among the South Asian nations as per the general expectations of such events. “We organised more number of sports events, with more players and medals involved, than in the previous SAG. Overall, the SAG this time has become more successful and historic.” Prime Minister Oli thanked and congratulated the governments and sports bodies, players and trainers of the participating nations for their contributions in making the games a huge success. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel addressing the closing ceremony organised at Dasrath Stadium said that there would not be a situation in which the Nepali players face financial crisis. The PM also invited all medal winning players to his Baluwatar residence on Wednesday.