PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the long-term investment made to create sports infrastructure for the 37th National Games will help athletes in the State.
He was addressing reporters along with Sports Minister Govind Gaude following a review of the Games that will be officially inaugurated on October 26, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
“The advantage of hosting such a multi-faced event is that we are making a long-term investment to develop sports infrastructure. A sports ecosystem is being developed. The infrastructure will be put to good use. This will help promote various athletes. Students will be motivated to participate in such future events. I urge parents to take their children to the venues to watch the Games,” he said.
A handbook on accommodation, catering and transportation has been released and these are being handed over to all the athletes coming for the Games. At every venue and checkpost level, that is Mollem, Polem, Keri and Patradevi, volunteers are present to welcome the athletes. Sawant said that for the Games, Goa has been divided into 6 clusters – Panjim, Campal, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, and Ponda.
“All these clusters have separate heads for accommodation, catering and transportation. Every cluster is headed by SPs for security. Incident commanders at venues headed by GCS and IAS officers who are monitoring the facilities,” he said.
As far as health facilities are concerned, Sawant said, “At every venue, the facilities at the nearest primary health centre/district hospital facilities will be provided. For injuries, a neurosurgeon is available round the clock at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). ICU beds have been reserved for sports injuries. A special GMC team is also stationed around the clock. All district hospitals near the venues have similar facilities. For injury cases there are facilities and ambulances to take the athletes in minimum time from the sports venues to the hospital,” he said.
For the opening ceremony on October 26, Sawant said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would grace the occasion along with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, while three sports ministers from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Odisha have confirmed their presence.
“Around 7000 spectators, 5000 students, and 2000 athletes will be present. There will be a march past of students of every state in front of the PM. After the PM’s speech, 600 actors will put up a performance on national integration. Sukvinder Singh and Hema Sardessai will be performing as well. There will also be a drone show as a special attraction.
Sawant said that the Fatorda venue for the opening ceremony will not be open to the public.
“It is only open to those who get invitations, which is free of cost. People can collect it from the minister, MLA, ZP members, sarpanchs, etc who have been given the passes. Those who want the passes can contact the directorate of sports office. Sports lovers should not miss out. Limited bus service for students has been made. MLAs will also make arrangements to get the people. Public screening of the inaugural ceremony and the Games will be set up, and a list of such venues will be issued in the papers. There will also be cultural programmes at the sports city venue from 28 onwards in the evening,” he said.
Sawant urged people with passes to be in their seats at Fatorda by 4.30 pm. “A transport advisory will be issued in view of the PM’s arrival. The Verna Titan circle will be closed after 6pm, including the Colva to Fatorda road, for a short period before the PM arrives and before the PM leaves at around 7.30 pm. Government offices in that locality have been declared half day,” he said.
Katya Coelho to handover Torch to PM
PANJIM: Kayta Coelho will handover the Torch of the 37th National Games to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the opening ceremony to be held on October 26, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday. Sawant said that on behalf of the Indian Olympic Association, Olympic javelin gold winner Neeraj Chopra will lead the Torch Rally and later hand it over to the PM.
“On behalf of the host state, we have suggested Coelho’s name who will handover the Torch to the PM,” Sawant said. Speaking to the Herald, the Chief Minister said, “We all have dreams , but it takes an awful lot of dedication and self-determination , sacrifices and effort to make dreams reality. I have worked extremely hard the last 15 years of my life which I have dedicated to my sport. It is one of the greatest honours as an athlete to handover the torch to the Hon. Prime Minister of India. I believe in God and his plans for me which is why I keep working hard even during tough times. I owe this to God and my parents.”
