AERIAL VIEW
The Games, are facing uncertainty for a long now, were originally scheduled for November 2018 but were postponed to April 2019. However, due to the general election, the government of Goa ordered another cancellation.
With the works on Games infrastructure getting delayed due to financial crunch, Goa was in no position to host the Games in October 2020.
However, former Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar had some other ideas. he constantly reiterated that State would be ready for the Games at short notice of three months, but the reality is something else.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
On Monday, the new Sports Minister Govind Gaude informed the media that the State is not ready to host the “prestigious” National Games, which have been postponed a number of times now.
The 2020 National Games of India, also known as Goa 2020, were to be held between 20 October and 4 November 2020 in Goa. In May 2020, it was announced that games would be postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and new dates are yet to be established. These games will be the 36th edition and will host 37 sporting disciplines.
However, the COVID19 pandemic has come as a blessing in disguise for the Goa government, which does not have its infrastructure in place.
The venues for the events were – GMC Athletic Stadium – athletics; Campal Swimming Pool – aquatics; Campal Indoor Complex – boxing, table tennis, wrestling; Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium – basketball, volleyball; Fatorda Stadium – opening and closing ceremonies; Miramar Beach – beach handball, beach volleyball; Peddem Indoor Stadium – badminton; Tilak Maidan Stadium – football.
None of the above venues is yet ready for the prestigious Games.
The Games, are facing uncertainty for a long now, were originally scheduled for November 2018 but were postponed to April 2019. However, due to the general election, the government of Goa ordered another cancellation.
With the works on Games infrastructure getting delayed due to financial crunch, Goa was in no position to host the Games in October 2020.
However, former Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar had some other ideas. he constantly reiterated that State would be ready for the Games at short notice of three months, but the reality is something else.
It’s high time the Indian Olympic Association takes away the hosting rights from the Goa government due to sheer incapability in creating the required infrastructure.
Interestingly, the last Games were held in 2015 in Kerala and for the last seven years, there have been no National Games, due to which the country’s sportspersons and athletes are suffering immensely.
Participating in National Games also gives confidence to teh athletes who represent the country in Asia, Commonwealth and the Olympics.
The IOA had already said that many states are willing to host the Games if Goa fails to. However, the IOA is yet to take any decision.
Not just the Indian athletes, apart from the failure to create infrastructure, the Goa government or the Sports. Authority of Goa has even failed to create its own team for the Games.
Many associations lament that the State Sports Authority has made very little or no provisions for preparing high-quality teams and athletes for the prestigious Games; as such, Goa would be out of medal contentions in the first round itself.
Not that there is a dearth of talent in Goa, but the talent also requires grooming and quality training, which is lacking in the State.
Consider this: the Campal swimming pool and the athletic track has been shut for three years now. Where would the athlete’s train?
There is no point in hosting the Games and creating infrastructure if you cannot provide some basic facilities to your own sportsperson.
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