There
is a growing clamor in Goa among a section of former sportsmen and
administrators that the National Games concept of Indian Olympic
Association (IOA) has become outdated and needs to be scrapped.
India
Olympic Games, later named as National Games were introduced in 1924
to prepare for the then 1924 Olympic Games. Since then, they are held
every two years for the records, but have missed the two-year
interval on many occasions.
The
last edition of the National Games, which had postponed many a times
will be held in coastal state of Goa from March 30 to April 14.
"The
National Games have lost its purpose. I do not think these games
contribute in anyway to help our sports persons compete in the Asian
Games and the Olympic Games. Its time to scrap these games and fund
the respective Associations," said Lector Mascarenhas, a former
international footballer from Goa.
Taking
a dig at the national associations and their lack of interest in
grooming and preparing athletes for the Asian Games and Olympics,
Mascarenhas applauded the efforts of former sportsmen Geet Sethi and
Prakash Padukone.
"Hats
off to Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) a non profit foundation formed by two
legends viz Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone. In the London 2012
Olympics, 4 out of 6 medalist in the 2012 Olympic Gmaes were
supported by 'OGQ' very ably run by CEO Viren Rasquinha, the former
Indian hockey captain. A definite way forward," added the former
Dempo SC, Salgaocar SC and Customs and Central Excise player.
Former
hockey player Jorge Goes from Goa now based in UK questioned the
state of the game in the state is the same what it was 30 years back
thanks to in fighting.
"During
our playing days we used to hear that astro turf will be
installed.... one in South Goa and the other in the North, but
nothing of that sort has happened, hopefully the new hockey stadium
will be built in time for the National Games." Jorge, however,
was not in favour of the IOA continuing with the National Games.
"To
me, there is no point In organising the national games. It's a grey
area for the politicians and bureaucrat to loot the monies.
"In
my opinion the monies should given to school and colleges to get
their sports department organised on professional lines. Award long
term scholarship to the deserving and future promising sports stars.
Give monies at grass root level to organise various sports
competition. National games is a political sports event to loot,"
he added.
Former
subjunior India international Saby Antao now a certified strength
trainer at an university in New York said the trust should be on
infrastructure rather then the games.
"What
use are these games? Are they used as benchmarks for qualifying for
Asian Games or Olympics or World Championships. If they use separate
meets for these games (Asian and Olympics) then the Games are a
waste," said Saby.
Noel
Estibeiro, a former table tennis player, who has filed a case against
the state government in the Goa bench of the Mumbai High Court over
the non implementation of the Sports Code directives of the Central
Union ministry feels the "sports should not be neglected for
what is happening off the field".
"National
games should be hosted by Goa. With the national games we will get
good sports infrastructure for our local talent. With the best of
infrastructure in place, it will help them (sportsmen) to be groomed
and hopefully they will excel in the near future," added Noel.
"It
is also a dream for many players to follow their passionate sport and
to witness live all the action in their own state and learn and get
motivated by watching great players and athletes of the country,"
he added.
Nilesh
Naik, President of Goa Tennis Ball Cricket Association also said Goa
will benefit from the games.
"In
terms of infrastructure, Goan sports persons will benefit and will
get standard playing grounds to perform in future events. National
games are the highest rated sports event in India where top athletes
and sportsman eye for top position to represent the country in
international events, Goan sport persons will also get a chance to
highlight their skills in this mega event and sports culture will
develop."
The
uncertainty of the Games taking place still float in the air with
several projects yet to take off, prompting several question marks
over the state preparedness to host the multi-discipline event and
the impending 2019 Lok Sabha elections round the corner.
Out
of the several news stadiums which the tiny state has proposed to
built banking on the Rs.225 crore central government funds, at least
three of them are in the plinth stage and in some cases construction
is yet to take off.
"In
certain cases works have started, it has come to plinth level. In
certain cases works would start in about 8 days time, to be completed
well before time for the games," Sports Authority of Goa
Director V M Prabhudessai told Khelupdates.com..
“Lot
of new infrastructure is coming. There are three categories, one
which is already existing, one which will be upgraded and renovated
on war footing. And the third category is new infrastructure. Like
tennis stadiums, hockey stadium are new infrastructure. Swimming pool
renovation is upgradation,” he added.
A
dozen Competition Directors were in Goa along with Mukesh Kumar,
Chairman of Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC), along with
members S. M. Bali and Dhanraj Choudary to take stock of the
situation and visited some of the sites.
"Competition
Directors have seen the designs, they have discussed with the
engineering cell which is headed by Anil Ringne who is overseeing the
construction of projects that are already going on and the
construction of projects that will happen in the next eight days or
so, things are going very well," he added.
"The
competition directors while making their assessment. While visiting
the sites, they are supposed to see the facilities existing at the
existing stadiums and facilities that are required to be done at the
non-existing stadiums," he said.
“Two
new sports stadiums are being constructed, one is in Sawalwada and
another is in Campal. Works of these two stadiums has already been
started and we are hopeful that the works will be completed in a time
bound manner.said Kumar Chairman of GTCC, However, our investigations
reveal that the Navelim Sports Complex in South Goa is also yet to
take off. the venue will host handball, kho kho and kabaddi
competitions.
The
organisers are ready with a second plan if the proposed stadium are
not built in time.
"If
there are some problems, then we have discussed plan B also where
some Indoor stadiums will be identified and the games scheduled in
these two stadiums can be shifted in case of emergencies. But our
thrust is that these stadiums should be completed. The plus points
are that the works have started and are going on at war footing. They
have made time bound schedules and rains are over plus also. The
agencies executing these works are confident they will complete the
venues much before schedule,” added Kumar.
“We
have requested the Union Government to part with 225 crores. In the
past, the union government has helped us by releasing over 100 crores
during and prior to the Lusofonia games. Besides, the present
Athletics stadium at Bambolim was also supported by the Government of
India by giving 15 and half crore rupees. We are very positive about
receiving the central funds. We have heard that they have moved the
proposal to the Union Sports Minister. The Chief Minster has been
pursuing with the Union Sports Ministry and we are quite positive
about receiving the funds," said Prabhudesai.
Incidentally,
the state chief minister Manohar Parrikar has been sick for almost
one year and has been hoping in and out of the hospital beds in USA,
Mumbai, Goa and New Delhi.
He
is currently admitted in a private apartment in Goa which has been
upgraded to a mini-hospital as he is fighting a battle with
pancreatic cancer.
Prabhudessai
said the state which has been going through the resource crunch will
shell out 400 crores to host the Games.
“The
state contribution is in the range of 400 crores on various
components like accommodation, equipment, training of the state
teams, transport, food, ceremonies, medical aid, etc”. said
Prabhudesai.
The
Games is facing another uncertainly with the Lok Sabha elections
during the same time as the event.
“This
is a pre- determined event, the Government does not foresee any
difficulty. We have also written to the local election commission,
the Goa unit of the election commission of India requesting them to
impress upon the election commission of India that these games are
being held,” informed Prabhudessai.
Meanwhile
two events will be held outside the state “Shooting and cycling
will be held in New Delhi. The State Government has decided to hold
the two disciplines in New Delhi. Earlier, we wanted to hold them in
Kerala but now the GTCC Officials have also recommended that there
are better facilities in New Delhi than Kerala.
The
two are being held outside Goa for lack of these two facilities in
Goa. They are not being hosted by any another state," he added.
The
opening and closing would be held at PJN Stadium, Fatorda. Opening
ceremony will be on March 30 and closing ceremony will be on April
14.
