Scrap outdated National Games, demand former sportsmen ahead of the event in Goa

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of former sportsmen and administrators that the National Games concept of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has become outdated and needs to be scrapped.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.