PANJIM: The hosting of National Games in Goa seems to have been
delayed further with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday announcing
that the infrastructure required for the event would be ready by next year.
The games which were scheduled to be held in September 2016
in Goa were postponed to November 2017 by former State government led by
Laxmikant Parsekar. Parrikar-led government has now dished out another deadline
for hosting the event.
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“Goa is gearing up to host the National Games next year
after constructing the required infrastructure at much decreased rates. We are
confident by next year all requirements would be in place,” Parrikar told media
persons.
“The initial estimate
about the money required to set up infrastructure to host National Games was Rs
570 crores but I have reworked the estimates and brought it down to Rs 400
crores. I am sure it would be further decreased to Rs 350 crore,” he said.
Stating that it sounds like a good idea to have sports
infrastructure scattered across the State, Parrikar said creation of
infrastructure has also to be supported by proper maintenance and its
commercial value.
“If I put the sports facilities in the remote areas, the
question comes about their maintenance and commercial usage. We have to
construct sports infrastructure where both these aspects are taken care,” he
said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister said that State is ready to host
the FIFI U-17 World Cup, scheduled in October this year. “The infrastructure is
in place. We are ready to host the event,” he said.
