DHAKA: Veteran volleyball player Bharat Shah, 41, led the Nepali marchpast as the 11th South Asian (SA) Games kicked off officially here with a grand ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.

Shah was the centre of attraction as he led the 430-member Nepali contingent. Not all the Nepali players were present during the inauguration ceremony. Still many more players are yet to arrive here due to their late match schedules.

In all, 1,793 players from eight nations are vying for 158 gold medals. Nepal have fielded 278 players while hosts Bangladesh have the largest number of players at 332, while India are second at 320. Likewise, Sri Lanka have fielded 308, Pakistan 286 players, Afghanistan 119, Maldives 101 and Bhutan 49 players. Nepal are competing for 123 gold, 123 silver and 193 bronze medals in 23 disciplines.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina inaugurated the event while Kaji Sallaudin, former renowned football player and Bangladesh Football Association President, lit the torch. Around 11,800 school students, 1,300 Ansars and 1,000 Armymen presented their delightful shows in the opening ceremony.

The show depicted various attractive performances displaying the Bangladeshi tradition and culture as well as the latest innovative art works. The ceremony concluded with beautiful fireworks. Chinese and French choreographers helped guide the local school students, defense personnel and the artists to carve out the show.

In the only action of the day, Jamuna Rai scored the solitary goal to give Nepal a dream start in the women's football with a 1-0 win over hosts Bangladesh at the Kamalapur Stadium on Friday.

Despite dominating the match from the outset, Nepali women footballers came out with a narrow victory, thanks to a 35th-minute strike from Jamuna.

The hosts had a couple of chances to score the equaliser but Rousonara Akther Bolu missed the target in the 73rd and 84th minutes. Nepal will play their next match against Sri Lanka on February 2 before taking on India (February 4) and Pakistan (February 6) in the league-round matches.

All the other matches will be held at the Bangabandhu Stadium. The top two teams will play for championship on February 8 at the same venue.

Meanwhile, tournament favourite India hammered Sri Lanka 8-1 in the other match of the day.