The tardiness that once characterized the efforts of theorganizers of the Lusofonia games in the state is now long gone. Elivs Gomes,Executive Director of SAG says he conducts daily meeting to ascertain theprogress on the renovation and construction of the various stadia proposed forthe games.
The work at the Tilak stadium, Vasco, he said would becompleted by the end of the month and all the work at Fatorda stadium shouldcome to an end by September. Work on all other projects too, he said, hadcommenced and it would have to be completed a month prior to the event startingon Nov 2-10 this year. Asked what the repercussion would be for the companiesif the project was not completed on time, Elvis said, they were notentertaining that option and the job would have to be completed on time. Theathletic track at Bambolim he said had to be laid by May 15 before the monsoonsets in. This he said was important since the absence of moisture was vital forthis task.
When he was asked if the state authorities had signed a hostcity contract with the organizers ACOLOP (the parent body of the games inPortugal), Elvis replied in the negative. He said “Well it was not done earlierand now there is no point in taking that letter.” Elvis said they were goingahead because of the reputation was at stake and that it was up to the state toput up a good show to enhance the reputation of the state and country. Adelegation of senior ACOLOP officials is expected to come over to the statetowards the end of April. They will conduct a general body meeting and anevaluation of the preparation of the various stadia will be made. When he wasasked what the reaction would be if they decided to take away the nomination,he said it would be their decision.
Responding to reports about the availability of the aerostatfor the games, Elvis said it was an initiative by the state government and itwould depend on the budget assigned for the opening and closing ceremony. Hesaid “Well they could allocate a budget of Rs. 1 crore or Rs. 10 crores. Withregards the aerostat, I feel it was a suggestion. I don’t think any concretedecision has been made.”
The organizing committee was presently in the process offinalizing the list of four and five star hotels needed to provideaccommodation for the athletes and officials who would come for the games. Thisprocess is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
The squads, he said,which would participate in the various events were selected with the exceptionof volleyball and athletics. Students he said who would participate in thegames would be entitled to the required marks as per the academic rule since itwas an international event and was the norm practiced for the two games heldearlier.
