The state government will invest Rs 175 crore on new and existing projects for the National Games 2016.

The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) has identified the sites to host 28 sporting disciplines for the National Games and will seek approval of the general body -- which meets under the chairmanship of chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar in the city on Monday -- to start work.

While Goa appears fairly ready to host the National Games, thanks to the Lusofonia Games infrastructure, the state will still need six new facilities. The new facilities will come up at the Bandodkar ground in Campal (tennis), Devbag in Canacona (archery, kho kho), Navelim sports complex (gymnastics, weightlifting), Navelim sports complex velodrome (cycling), Sawalwada sports complex (handball, kabaddi) and Peddem sports complex (hockey).

"The government of Goa has committed to the Indian Olympic Association to host the 36th National Games in November 2016. The government of India had earlier allotted Rs 97.80 crore towards the construction of venues and the allotment of these funds was utilized for construction of some new venues which were first used for the Lusofonia Games and will now be utilized for hosting some of the disciplines for the National Games," the SAG said in its general body agenda notes which have been circulated to all members.

According to the agenda note, the organizing committee of the National Games after extensive consultation with the Indian Olympic Association, Goa Olympic Association and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to host 28 sports disciplines due to "limitation of the budget."

The state government has not as yet decided on shooting despite repeated pressure from the IOA to include the discipline.

"We have asked the defence minister (Manohar Parrikar) to accommodate the setting up of a shooting range in one of their establishments that is located in Goa. This could be used during the Games by the state government and thereafter could be used by defence personnel and given for civilian use as and when the need arises," said the SAG.

The defence ministry has not as yet agreed to the proposal.

The 28 disciplines, though, will be spread across the state with six new facilities expected to be constructed.

The venues that will host the National Games include Campal Indoor Complex (boxing, table tennis, wrestling), Chicalim sports complex (squash), Ponda sports complex (judo, taekwondo), Fatorda swimming pool (aquatics), Bandodkar ground in Campal (tennis), Devbag in Canacona (archery, kho kho), Navelim sports complex (gymnastics, weightlifting), Navelim sports complex velodrome (cycling), Sawalwada sports complex (handball, kabaddi), Peddem sports complex (hockey), Shyama Prasad Indoor Stadium in Bambolim (basketball, volleyball), GMC Athletics Stadium (athletics), Miramar beach (beach handball, beach volleyball), SAG ground in Fatorda (baseball), Peddem sports complex (badminton), Tilak Maidan (football), Colvale river (canoeing/kayaking, rowing), Dona Paula (yachting).

 

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