Bidya Devi Bhandari, the country's President, announced the opening at the newly constructed venue.

A firework display was then held with the Ceremony also including the traditional parade of athletes and cultural performances.

Krishnasar the antelope, the mascot of the Games, made an appearance as around 15,000 fans attended the event.

Twenty-seven sports are on the programme for the South Asian Games, with 700 athletes and officials due to attend from the competing nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As well as Kathmandu, action will also take place in Pokhara and Janakpur.

Some sport is underway with India and Pakistan booking their place in the men's volleyball final.

India saw off Sri Lanka 27-25, 25-19, 25-21 today while Pakistan beat Bangladesh 25-15, 25-21, 26-24.

In badminton, hosts Nepal guaranteed themselves at least two medals as both their men's and women's line-ups reached the team semi-finals.

The men beat Bhutan today with the women earning a victory over Bangladesh.

A number of sports will be held tomorrow.