PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that Goa would be more comfortable hosting the National Games in 2018 rather than 2016 as right now the State’s priorities are something else.
Contrary to reports that Goa will host the National Games in 2016, Parsekar said that the National Games is on the agenda but not the priority.
“Our priorities are so many right now and the National Games do not figure in that list,” Parsekar said.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had warned Goa that they are in danger of losing the Games, if they did not provide satisfactory replies about infrastructure delay, slow preparations and a decision by the Sports ministry to charge participation fee of Rs 500 per day per athlete and official.
IOA had given Goa till August 31 and the Goa Olympic Association ensured they met the deadline after several last-day talks with chief minister.
However, Parsekar said, they have taken the responsibility of hosting the event in 2016 but you normally get a grace of two years. “We have taken the responsibility of hosting it in 2016 but we would be more comfortable hosting it in 2018,” he said.
Parsekar also said that his government is in talks with the Centre for providing financial support for creating the required infrastructure. “The Centre will fund the infrastructure partly but I do not have the figures right now,” he said.
