Pakistan also reduced their number of participants and are not taking part in eight disciplines. India and Pakistan’s lack of participations and Afghanistan’s exclusion from the region opened chances for the others, especially Sri Lanka, who finished second in the last edition. Being the host nation, Nepal will hope to see an increase in the number of medals than last edition where they finished sixth out of eight countries winning only three golds. Only these two countries are taking part in all 26 disciplines. A total of 487 athletes from India, 266 from Pakistan and 216 from Maldives will be participating, while Bhutan sent the least number of athletes, 116.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 30, 2019 15:56 UTC