Report from Rubiya Shaikh
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 16: Goa will host 36th National Games in the year 2011. Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat signed Host city contract with the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and MP Suresh Kalmadi at a fuction held in South Goa yesterday.
Many eminent personalities were present during the occasion – Manohar Azgaonkar, Sports Minister, Subhash Shirodkar, President of the Goa Olympic Association, Randhir Singh, Secretary General of (IOA), Chief Secretary J PSingh, and M Modassir, Sports Secretary.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat said, "Today is the red letter day in the history of Goa in the sports field. The event will provide an opportunity to the State to create world class infrastructure in the field of sports".
This infrastructure in later stage will provide opportunity to Goan sports persons to acquire required skills in sports he added.
Speaking further he thanked the IOA for reposing faith in Goa to host 36th National Games. The CM said, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has also expressed his support for the National Games in Goa in the year 2011. He also assured IOA to make National Games a great success.
"National Games in Goa will also benefit tourism industry in Goa besides sports arena. Sports have assumed great importance in the country. The centre has allocated Rs. 800 crores for the sports which will help sportsmen to take round the year training in sports events", said President of IOA and MP Suresh Kalmadi.
"The national games would change the supporting scenario would change the sporting scenario in the state and expressed confidence that Indians will return with bag full of medals at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics in the future", Kalmadi stated.
He also praised the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for doing a good job on September 12 and 13.
Goa`s Sports minister, Babu Azgaonkar while concluding said , "the process for land acquisition is in the progress and the State Government has already sanctioned funds for the same and the process will be completed within three to four months".