The 37th National Games will be inaugurated today by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, amidst high security and fanfare. The games will be held from October 26 to November 9, with over 10,000 athletes expected to participate.
Indian Olympic Association, the sports organising body of the nation, mooted the concept of the National Games to promote the development of sports and of the Olympic movement in India, and was responsible for host city selection. The National Games, formerly known as the Indian Olympic Games, made their debut in Lahore, undivided India, in 1924. The games were then held every two years, and were renamed as National Games during the 9th Games in Bombay in 1940.
Goa was handed the baton in 2008 to host the 36th edition of the games in 2011, but delays elsewhere meant that the 36th edition the state was allotted to host could technically be held only after Kerala, which was to host the 35th edition in 2015. In 2015, Goa had said it would host the games in 2016, but was unable to complete the infrastructure necessary to host the multi-discipline event.
Meanwhile, the 3rd Lusofonia Games over the period of 12 days from January 18-29, 2014, were held in Goa and saw the participation of over 1,000 athletes and officials from 11 Lusofone nations. After hosting the international event, one had expected Goa to fast track the preparations for the National Games, but the State missed the deadline.
As part of preparations to host the 36th edition, Goa had launched the mascot Rubigula, but delays and missing the deadlines constantly not only marred the State’s image but also escalated the cost of hosting the event manifold. With delays, Goa had eight years to host the 36th edition, yet deadlines were not met. With the exception of two years of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the State kept pushing the dates year after year, and after facing a lot of flak for derailing the schedule of the Games, the 36th edition of National Games was organised by Gujarat in September last year. Hence, as the host of the 37th National Games, Moga, the new mascot was launched earlier this year.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant last week said that his government will welcome any proposal to set up a Private Sports University in the State post the 37th National Games and extend all requisite co-operation and support. Certainly the infrastructure creation has been a long journey, at times marred by allegations of corruption.
A look at the National Games over the years will reveal the dismal performance of Goa at the prestigious national sporting event. Even in Gujarat last year, Goa stood 30th with a handful of bronze medals. Politics is denting the State’s image, particularly in sports. Goa had no representation in individual events at the Asian Games, held in China this year.
Despite playing host to the Lusofonia Games in 2014, the vision to develop sports as a career opportunity for Goans is missing from the table of those in positions of power and who call the shots. The State needs a far sighted vision and a comprehensive policy to develop sports. From erecting sports facilities at village and school level, a consistent policy to train and facilitate the growth of sports in the State is the need of the hour. Most of the village panchayat grounds in Goa turn into grazing grounds for stray cattle with little to no interest shown by the local governance bodies.
However, during electioneering, commitments are made to the voters. And post polls new tenders are issued to refurbish the infrastructure. With delays in financial approvals, the vicious cycle of lapses and reassurances continue.
Crores of rupees have been spent in preparing for the National Games and erecting the infrastructure. While inviting institutions to establish a sports university is a welcome step, the government needs to document a vision for the future athletes of the State and draw a sports policy to promote the athletic talents. A fortnight later, when the curtains will be drawn on the 37th edition of the National Games, Goans will hope that the infrastructure that has been constructed will open new avenues and help nurture the sporting abilities of Goan youth.
