PANAJI
After a delay of more than a decade, Goa is finally set to host the 37th edition of the National Games this October, the opening ceremony of which will be held at the Fatorda stadium and the games thrown open by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made the announcement on Wednesday that it will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official Altinho residence in a press conference at which iconic Indian athlete P T Usha, who currently heads the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also present.
A Rajya Sabha MP, Usha was in Goa with an IOA team which also consisted of secretary general Kalyan Chaubey, to inspect the facilities at the various stadiums where the multi-discipline Games will be held. Sports Minister Govind Gaude was also present.
Sawant said, the State government is taking the responsibility seriously and is also simultaneously collaborating with the various State Sports Associations to ensure that Goa also performs well at the Games in addition to hosting it.
"We are reviewing the infrastructure and planning for the logistical and other requirements for organising the games," Sawant said, adding that the Associations are being taken into confidence to improve the State's sporting ethos.
Sawant earlier held a meeting with the Usha-led IOA team which was attended among others by Gaude, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel and other top officials of the State Sports ministry.
Firm dates have not been finalised yet, according to the IOA, although it is tentatively likely to be from around October 23.
“Sports tourism is our next activity in the tourism area. We will help to organise sports events at national level in the future as we have infrastructure ready after national games," Sawant said.
P T Usha meanwhile said, she was "very happy" with the keen interest displayed in hosting the Games.
"We are happy. Work has already started. I am confident the Games will be held in a nice way," Usha said.
Gaude, meanwhile said, that most of the infrastructure is already in place and whatever little work is left is already being tendered.
