MARGAO
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and her team were impressed after overseeing the preparations at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday ahead of the 37th National Games to be held in October 2023.
This will be the first time that Goa will be hosting the event. However, the State had the right to host the current edition in 2008 but was not able to do so due to different reasons. IOA has confirmed that it will take place only after the postponed Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra and Asian Games 200 metres gold medallist Usha are some of the talents that came up at the National Games.
For more than 10 years, Goa has been struggling to come up with the necessary infrastructure to hold the multi-discipline Games. After several delays, the State is finally ready to host the event.
"The state government is wonderful and their eagerness to be a great venue for the National Games is worth lauding," Usha said. The IOA team later visited Benaulim Beach to assess the preparedness of the venue.
GTCC president Amitabh Sharma, Indian Hockey secretary general & Asian Hockey vice-president Bholanath Singh, Indian Weightlifting president Sahdev Yadav, Indian wrestling Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian Pencak Silat Federation president Kishor Yawle, South District Pencak Silat Association Goa secretary Vilton D'Cruz were present.
