Sports minister hops from one stadium to another to check preparedness of infrastructure
MARGAO
It was 10.30 am on Saturday. Sports Minister Govind Gaude hopped from the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium at Navelim to the Nehru stadium and the adjoining Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) grounds, Fatorda with a mission “ to check the level of preparedness vis-Ã -vis the sporting infrastructure at these venues ahead of the ensuing National Games.
Inspection of infrastructure
Saturday’s inspection of the facilities by the Sports Minister with officials in tow only goes to show that the sports officials are racing against time to lay the infrastructure well before the National Games kick off around 10 days from today.
A visit to the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium revealed that the basic infrastructure for the three sporting events is in place. The indoor stadium will play host to basketball, roll ball and handball games during the sporting extravaganza.
There’s no addition to the existing infrastructure in place for the ensuing Games, but when the Sports Minister descended at the Indoor stadium, he reviewed the ongoing works currently underway at the complex, including a make shift practice avenue for the athletes and a satellite kitchen and dining for the participants.
Review of stadium branding
Expressing satisfaction over the works underway at the Indoor stadium, the Sports Minister reviewed the branding of the stadium with the event management firm, how the stadium will look like as he took a branding plan designed and conceived for the Indoor stadium.
Unlike other games venues, roll ball games at the Manohar Parrikar stadium will kick off on October 23 days before the official inauguration scheduled on October 26.
“The Manohar Parrikar stadium is ready to host the games. The work presently underway at the complex is related to dining and satellite kitchen”, Gaude said.
In fact, the Sports Minister appeared confident personified as he later declared at a media briefing that the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium will be ready for the ensuing Games by October 21.
Sports Minister Govind Gawde inspecting the newly-built Lawn tennis court at the SAG grounds, Fatorda and other infrastructure. The Minister takes a break to have a tender coconut after a days of inspections. Pics Santosh Mirajkar.
Lawn tennis court inspection
As the Sports Minister headed to the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) complex, Fatorda, he straight away descended on the lawn tennis court under construction.
After an interaction with workers on the ground, Gaude expressed his satisfaction that the lawn tennis court is finally nearing completion. “The contractor has painted the tennis court, which was delayed by last week’s showers. Now, work on the lawn tennis court is in the final stage of completion,” he said, asserting that infrastructure for the ensuing National Games is 100 per cent ready.
“The sports infrastructure is ready. The lawn tennis court is the only infrastructure added at the SAG grounds, Fatorda. The court has received a coat of paint which was delayed because of the rains. I can confidently state that the infrastructure for the National Games is now ready,” he said.
Shedding light on the infrastructure at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda which will play host to the inaugural function and football, the Sports Minister said hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Nehru Stadium just a year ago had helped to spruce up the infrastructure at Goa’s lone stadium to world-class standard. “Infrastructure at the Nehru stadium was laid during the FIFA U-17 football. There’s little to be added at the stadium. As far as the inaugural function is concerned, the concerned agencies are working on the event management inside the stadium,” Gaude added.
