Goa ready to host National Games in October, urges Indian Olympics Association to waive off penalty
Goa sports minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has clarified that the state will host the 36th National Games in October this year. Ajgaonkar has also written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) urging it to waive off the penalty of Rs 10 crore that was imposed on the state for delaying the event.Â
Ending all the discussions and speculations regarding the upcoming National Games, Goa sports minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has come out to clarify that the state is ready with all the necessary infrastructures to host the 36th National Games this year in October. He also informed that there are 10 stadiums which were developed again and are refurbished for the all India event. He further spoke about the fine that was imposed by the IOA on the state government for the delay in the organization of the Games.
“The entire infrastructure would be ready by July–August, so that the games can be held in October,” Ajgaonkar told PTI.
“We are trying to convince the IOA that imposing the fine may result in creating bitterness between the hosts and the sports body . The games were not delayed purposely. There were several factors involved, including the poll code.”
The minister had called for a meeting to discuss the infrastructural development works going on at various venues of the state for the National Games after the model code of conduct was lifted, which was enforced due to the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls across the nation.
Goa was initially scheduled to host the Games in November 2018 but later decided to postpone it till March-April this year. However, the state sports department had decided to reschedule the event due to the elections. Because of the constant change of dates, the IOA had imposed a fine of Rs 10 crore on the state government.