SA GAMES: Only 11 days to go for the South Asian version of Olympics - the 10th South Asian Games, to be hosted by Sri Lanka. The eight-nation Games will be the biggest ever multi-sport event to be hosted by Sri Lanka. Through this countdown series, the 'Daily News' will have a closer look at the South Asian Games, its history, local preparations and our medal prospects.

Olympic medallist, Susanthika Jayasinghe is looking forward to win three gold medals at the forthcoming 10th South Asian Games in Colombo. The veteran Sri Lanka woman sprinter, in her last South Asian Games, wants to complete a sprint double and then anchor her country's 100m women's relay team to victory.

The 31-year-old sprint queen said she is now confident than ever before and is ready to lead Sri Lanka from front. Jayasinghe said she stormed into the track as a queen, winning two gold medals at the Asian junior championship and wants to retire as a queen. "I am ready to go for that goal," she said.

Jayasinghe has been appointed as captain of the Sri Lanka athletic team for the eight-nation Games. She is confident that she could win women's 100m and 200m gold medals without much fight.

Jayasinghe said she has completely recovered from a leg injury which forced her to skip the 2005 season.

The woman who turned a new chapter in Sri Lanka sport with the country's first ever IAAF World Championship medal and its first Olympic medal in 52 years, Jayasinghe said this would be her last South Asian Games. She plans for a retirement probably by the end of this year, but did not rush to make a final decision.

Meanwhile, cycling has been introduced to the South Asian Games for the first time in its 22-year-old history.

Host Sri Lanka has been making good preparations for the competition. Ever since the domestic season began in April, the local riders have been hard at practice to peak at the eight-nation Games.

The 10th South Asian Games will have three races for men and women - Individual time trial, Team time trial and a Road Race. These events will be worked off on August 21, 23 and 26. Sri Lanka has finalised a 16-member pool.

The first of the SA Games cycling races will be the individual time-trial on August 21 - for men (30km) and women (20km) with a 10km lap distance.

These events will be from opposite Enex Building, Moratuwa-Panadura, via Marine Highway to end at the same point.

On August 23, the men's and women's team time trials will take place.

The men's race will be a 49km affair, commencing from 9.45 a.m. from Galle Face.