National Games in Goa have been of top standard: GTCC chairman Amitabh Sharma
Let’s start with the athletes.
Never before has the National Games, or any sports event in the country, seen 10,144 athletes battle for top honours. The contingents came from all states and union territories. Goa, as hosts, led the way with a record 910 athletes. The Games also saw the highs of Haryana (797) and Maharashtra (761), to the smallest four-member teams from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Twenty-eight venues, two of them in distant Delhi, hosted a record 42 disciplines with volleyball being nixed midway into the Games for the “greater good of the game.”
“This was very challenging but now that we are on the concluding day, must say it’s worked out exceptionally well,” Games technical conduct committee chairman (GTCC) Amitabh Sharma told TOI. “We have managed to pull it off. I must compliment the government of Goa, and the entire team. They made wonderful arrangements.”
When Amitabh was first appointed as the GTCC chairman by the Indian Olympic Association, of which he is an executive committee member, the initial plan was to have the multidiscipline sporting event with 36 disciplines. It’s what Gujarat had done the previous year, and Kerala in 2015. But Goa wanted more, and as federations made a case for their inclusion, the number kept growing.
“We have about 34 high priority sports, so it’s mandated (to include them). Then, as hosts, Goa could make additions. We ended up with 43 disciplines and I am glad that it was a unique blend. We had priority sports, which are part of the Olympics programme and Asian Games, and we gave a boost to our indigenous sports, those who have been part of our cultural values,” said Amitabh, who is also president of the Ice Skating Association of India.
Goa had delayed hosting the National Games for more than a decade. Whenever dates were confirmed, the state came up with a new excuse, until the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) took away the 36th edition and handed it over to Gujarat last year. The decision embarrassed Goa.
It was then decided to host the Games in 2023. But even as questions were asked about Goa’s preparedness and the quality of infrastructure, the Games concluded without a major controversy.
In fact, several athletes, including those who have been at the biggest sporting events, praised the Games in Goa.
“The GTCC focused on the technicality of the sport and all sports has been of a very high standard. We have had Olympic sports which were lauded by the national sports federations. The equipment, arenas has been a top draw, absolutely international standards. The preparations, too, were immaculate and we had fantastic quality of sport,” said the chairman.