the goan I network
MARGAO
Inaugurating as many as five State-of-the-art indoor stadiums ahead of the National Games 2020 which will be hosted by Goa between October 20 to November 4, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju on Saturday promised Centre’s all out support to the Goa government to make the 36th National Games the best ever.
In fact, the Union Minister said the Government of India will definitely come out with certain support to the Goa government to make the games successful, while conceding that Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is managing the infrastructure development despite facing resource constraints.
“I will be coming back to Goa soon to unveil the National Games mascot. Once that is done and by that time, we will move certain files for the financial support for the Games”, the Union Minister said, after inaugurating the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium at Navelim, besides digitally inaugurating four other indoor stadiums at Ponda, Fatorda, Campal and Sawalwada in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Dy CM and Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, MLAs Luizinho Faleiro and Churchill Alemao, former Minister Avertano Furtado and officials.
Saying that preparations ahead of the 36th National Games are in full swing with the involvement and support of the Goa government and the people of Goa, Rijiju said he had a review meeting with the Chief Minister and other officials on Saturday and expressed his satisfaction over the progress of infrastructure work being put in place for the National Games.
“I am happy that five brand new world class indoor stadiums have been come up in Goa ahead of the National Games. Goa is not a big State, but is known for organizing big
events successfully. I have no doubt that the 36th National Games will be the best ever in the country”, he said, while asking the Sporting Associations to work in close coordination with the government for the success of the Games.
In his address, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government will not lag behind in making the 36th National Games a big success. After naming the Navelim Indoor stadium after ex-Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, the Sawant declared that the Indoor stadium at Campal will also be named after the former chief minister.
He said the infrastructure being laid out in the State for the National Games will cater to the needs and requirements of sporting events for the next 50 years. The Chief Minister, however, said the time has now come to churn out quality sportsmen who will bring laurels to the State. “Goa has good sports infrastructure and now Goa should win medals in the national and international levels. We have to develop the sports culture in the State’, he added.
Showering praises on Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro and NCP MLA Churchill Alemao for attending the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister wondered why many an Opposition MLA had not turned up for the programme.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said Goa is geared up to host the national games, which will cost the exchequer around Rs 700 crore, including Rs 500 crore for the building of infrastructure.
While saying that Parrikar had taken the initiative to host the National Games in Goa, Ajgaonkar said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is equally capable to take the National Games to the logical conclusion. “With infrastructure in place, our boys and girls should now display their talent and bring medals for Goa at the national and international events”, he added.
