PANAJI
Sports Minister Babu Ajgaonkar on Monday claimed that the State government is virtually ready to host the 36th edition of the National Games to be held in the State.
"We are ready. Let the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and union sports ministry declare the National Games,” said Ajgaonkar, while speaking to reporters in Panaji.
The National Games have been postponed a number of times as infrastructure was not ready in the State.
The Games were to be held in 2020, but got postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
According to the sports minister, the State government has spent around Rs 450 crore to construct infrastructure in the State. The central government has so far released Rs 121 crore for the organisation of the games.
However, a number of MLAs have complained that sports infrastructure for the National Games has not been completed in their constituencies.
Panaji MLA Babush Monserrate has previously complained that the Campal swimming stadium is still incomplete.
When asked about the incomplete work on the swimming stadium, Ajgaonkar said the contractor had left the job midway, hampering the completion of the project.
“Projects have been completed in Navelim, Fatorda and Ponda,” said Ajgaonkar.
Meanwhile, the minister said the State government would facilitate Olympic evaluator Lenny D’Gama who has returned from the Tokyo Olympics.
"We have written to Lenny in this regard, Ajgaonkar said.
