PANJIM: Goa bid goodbye to MOGA on Thursday as the 37th National Games came to an end at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao Plateau.
The ceremony was graced by the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Tourism of India Shripad Naik, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, Sports Minister Govind Gaude and other important dignitaries.
The hall was crowded with enthusiastic school children and when Goa’s nightingale Sonia Shirsat took the stage and started off proceedings, they took to her with great enthusiasm. Her songs were met with applause. She was then followed by Swarup Thar, whose music set was marked by great enthusiasm. The entry of all the important dignitaries was marked with applause by the audience.
Vice President Dhankhar in his address said, “There is increase in the number of sport events in the current edition of the National Games.”
He particularly underlined that the introduction of traditional sports has led to a resurgence of Indian culture.
Expressing optimism, Dhankhar envisioned these traditional games earning well-deserved recognition on the Olympic stage.
The Vice-President reflected on a paradigm shift in parental approach towards sports.
“Gone are the days of parental worry about children’s extensive involvement in sports. Sports have become the most important avenue of expression of human genius,” he noted.
Referring to the Mascot of National Games – Moga, an Indian bison, the Vice-President said it represents the qualities of never retracing its steps, always going forward. He emphasised that these qualities are essential for “every sportsperson to learn”.
The Vice-President appealed to the industry and private sector to lend support to sportspersons, stating that their backing would “do the nation a great justice”.
Maharashtra was crowned as the overall champions and received the Raja Bhalindra Singh Ever-Rolling Trophy from the Vice President of India and Goa Chief Minister.
Sanyukta Prasen Kale of Maharashtra and Pranati Nayak of Odisha won the Best Female Athlete Trophy, which they received from the Goa Chief Minister.
Both gymnasts won four gold and one silver each to win the coveted award. Srihari Nataraj of Karnataka, who won a total of ten medals which includes eight gold, one silver and bronze each, bagged the Best Male Athlete Trophy. He was handed the trophy by IOA President PT Usha.
Speaking on the occasion, Usha shared, “This grand celebration of sports held in Goa has left an indelible mark in the Indian sports history. Behind the scenes there’s an unsung army of heroes who have worked tirelessly to ensure these Games have become a grand success.”
The Games were declared closed by the Vice President and the flag was given to sports minister of Uttarakhand where the next National Games will be held in 2024.
