PANJIM: The State government has begun negotiations with the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) to waive-off the penalty of Rs ten crore imposed on it stating that ‘penalty imposition will lead to bitter relationship’.
After Goa’s frequent delays in hosting the National Games, which were supposed to be held from March 30, the IOA had imposed a fine of Rs 10 crore on the State for repeatedly missing the deadlines.
Goa, on the other hand, citied various reasons including the Parliamentary election and security concern, for delaying hosting of the event.
Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar on Monday held first meeting, soon after election code was lifted, with the officials of sports department, members of Goa Olympic Association and other concerns with regards to preparedness for the national games, which are now scheduled to take place in October, this year.
Minister has directed the department to ensure that all the infrastructures are ready by July end.
Speaking to reporters post meeting, Azgaonkar said that the State has been negotiating with the IOA to waive off the fine of Rs ten crores by reasoning that such a penalty “might result in bitterness between the hosts and sporting body.”
“We are trying to convince the IOA that imposing fine may result in creating bitterness between the hosts (Goa) and the body (IOA),” the minister said.
“The delay in hosting the games was not purposely done. There were several factors contributed for it like Board examination, Parliamentary elections, by-polls and the security measures,” he said adding ‘we have already put up our case before IOA’.
The minister claimed that the Goa is all set to host upcoming National Games in October, 2019 for which the required infrastructure would be ready by the month of July-August, this year.
Minister assured that there won’t be any more delays on the part of Goa to host the games as total ten stadiums are getting refurbished to conduct the event. “The entire infrastructure would be ready by July-August, so that the games can be held in October, this year” he said.
The minister said that existing facilities are upgraded to the standards, which is required to host the event of that scale. “We will ensure that the national games take place in Goa this year anyhow,” he said.
Azgaonkar informed that IOA executive committee, which met recently, has decided that the games should be held in October, while the final dates are yet to be released.
While imposing fine, IOA had said that Goa would not be allowed to organize the event till it pays the penalty.
When contacted for further clarification, Goa Olympic Association Gurudatta Bhakta confirmed that the efforts are on to negotiate on the 10 cr ban.
“The Goa government has written to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that we are all prepared to host the games in all the glory. The government has been gracious enough to include five more disciplines (lawn bowl, rugby etc) then earlier agreed. And I feel the IOA must agree this and waive off the penalty,” said Gurudatta Bhakta.
However, Bhakta was unable to clarify the current status of the infrastructure work which was the main let-down to the constant delays in hosting the Games.
“It was assured that all the stadiums would be ready by May 30. I am not sure what is the status of the infrastructure work as we will have to wait for the end of May,” added Bhakta.
Bhakta stressed that there cannot be more delays in completion of the infrastructure and explained, “If all the things (infrastructure) are ready it will be plus point for us and IOA will not be able to say no to waive off the penalty. We cannot go on telling them that the stadiums and infrastructure is getting ready. If we are ready and prepare fully, they will not question us on anything,” added Bhakta.
