PANJIM: The Goa Government has announced November 5 to 19, 2016 as the dates for hosting the 36th National Games. The infrastructure cost has been estimated at Rs 500 crore.
Sources at the secretariat said that the decision was taken during a closed-door meeting where Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar were present last weekend. The government is yet to prepare a roadmap for the games covering all modalities including infrastructure for which a committee has been appointed.
“We will create new infrastructure for the games and also utilize the Lusofonia Games infrastructure. The work will begin soon,” one of the panel members told Herald, requesting anonymity.
The athletic track at Bambolim stadium, running track and indoor stadium at Peddem-Mapusa, Indoor stadium at Taleigao plateau and Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Fatorda are among the existing infrastructure that will be refurbished for the games. New stadia will also be created, for which the sites have not yet been decided.
Over 9,000 athletes from 33 sports disciplines will be participating at the national games. “We are still in the process of getting confirmation from the states and athletes regarding their participation. Goan players will certainly be a part of it,” the panel member said.
The committee is expected to soon hold coordination meetings to chalk out plans listing out the requirements and the expenses for the mega event. Since Kerala is hosting the National Games in November this year, Goa was settled for the coming year.
