Need sports associations to come forward and help make National Games a success: Pramod Sawant
After several delays, Goa is expected to host the 37th edition of the National Games in October-November this year. Questions have been asked about Goa’s preparedness for the major event but Sawant has been left in no doubt that the state will measure up to the challenge.
“All of us are waiting for the upcoming 37th National Games, which will be hosted by Goa from October 25 to November 9 and all departments of the government have started preparations for the Games,” Sawant said on Tuesday.
The chief minister confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National Games and sought support from everyone to ensure success of the event.
“All Goans should participate in a big way for this event,” said Sawant. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the opening of the Games. I call on different sports associations in Goa to come forward to help us make the event a success.
Goa signed the host city contract in 2008 to host the Games in 2011, but delays elsewhere meant the 36th edition the state was allotted to host could technically be held only after Kerala were done with the 35th edition in 2015.
Goa said it would host the Games in 2016, but has since been unable to complete the infrastructure necessary to host the multi-discipline event.
The 36th edition, which was initially allotted to Goa, was also snatched away and handed to Gujarat who hosted the event at four months’ notice last year.