the goan I network
MAPUSA
Seeking a period of five months to put all processes in place, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday categorically told the House that National Games cannot be held in November, virtually putting the ball in the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) court.
“It is not possible to hold the Games in November. Let IOA announce the dates of the Games after January 2020. We are ready to take it up then. We need minimum five months from the date of the Games to complete all the processes,” Dr Sawant said, responding to queries from ruling and opposition members on the status of National Games in the Assembly.
He said the IOA was pressurizing the government to hold the Games in November, which was impractical as some equipment has to be imported from foreign countries.
The chief minister also said Goan teams have not got enough time to practice for the event.
“We are organising the National Games so that Goan children get an opportunity to participate in the tournaments. We are yet to get coaches on board. Our children require three to five months to practice,” he said.
During the discussion, the CM informed the House that the central government was offering direct financial assistance to the State to set up the infra for the National Games.
“We have received Rs 97 crore so far from the Centre but a big chunk of around Rs 80 crore came before 2012. However, no work was done during that period. We will have to see whether the money has been diverted or not,” Dr Sawant said taunting the opposition Congress benches.
Supporting the government on the issue, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said the chief minister should insist that the Games will be held after January 2020.
“IOA will be compelled to agree, as no other State will be in a position to hold the Games,” Kamat said.
Earlier responding to queries from the members of the House, Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar alias Babu informed the Legislative Assembly that for eight months the IOA failed to confirm the dates for the National Games and at the last minute, they were asking the State to hold the
Games from November 1 to 15.
Stating that nine tenders have been cancelled because the dates of the Games were announced, he said tenders for certain works required time.
“We want to hold the National Games but we want to organize it well. We do not want to spoil the name of the State,” said Babu, indicating the State was not ready to hold the Games in November.
Pointing to ongoing infrastructure works, MGP leader and Marcaim MLA Sudhin Dhavlikar asked whether the government was ready for the Games.
“It appears that government’s position is in doldrums. With so much work yet to be completed, will the Games will ever be held in Goa?” Dhavlikar asked.
The sports minister assured the House to complete all works within three months.
Babu informed that the State has so far received an amount of Rs 97 crore from Centre for development of infra for the National Games.
He said the State has received Rs 12 crore in 2009-10, Rs 35 crore in 2010-11, Rs 35 crore in 2011-12 and Rs 15 crore in 2013-14.
“We have asked an additional amount of Rs 80 crore from the Centre,” he said.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa had also posed questions whether Goa was ready with the infrastructure for the National Games.
