The fact that the government is going all out to prep and improve the current infrastructure in the state in light of the 2016 National Games that are due to be held in Goa, is a good thing. But, it would be foolhardy to have great infrastructure and under-prepared or ill-equipped squads.
There are 15 months between now and November 2016. That is not a long time to be honest. Time passes quickly when you have such a massive games on the horizon and Goa is not prepared at all. Goa will be participating in 13 disciplines, and the Sports Authority of Goa and the Goa Olympic Association have to find common ground and a common goal. This is not time for organisations to work as separate entities, despite the fact that they indeed are.
The National Games is not a minor sporting event. Goa will be scrutinised from all angles and to get the crowds in every day for all the different events means that the Goan sports men and women will have to compete right until the end. If Goa is knocked out early in certain events, the fact that attendance will drop by a decent percentage is a given. But attendance and tickets are not the only reason why Goa has to do well. Goa has to shine because this is our National Games. The infrastructure and squad performance have to be at the same level.
