The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted a detailed report pertaining to preparations underway for the proposed 37th National Games to be held in Chhattisgarh in 2017 to Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday in New Delhi.
As per the official information, the report submitted to Chief Minister was based on information compiled by a Committee of the Association, which had recently conducted inspection of stadiums in Chhattisgarh.
The report was submitted to Singh by General Secretary of the Association Rajeev Mehta in New Delhi. On the occasion, the General Secretary congratulated the Chief Minister for successful hosting of Hero World Hockey league Finals in the State.
Highlighting the requirements for smooth execution of national games, Mehta said that wide and spacious indoor stadiums will be required for hosting games like handball, basketball, table tennis, badminton and other indoor games.
Following the directives of the Chief Minister, a meeting will soon be convened to hold discussions on the presented report and necessary steps will be initiated accordingly, said State Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand adding that IOA has also been asked to send their representatives for taking part in the meeting.
Notably, Chief Minister Raman Singh on September 22 this year had chaired a meeting of executive committee of Chhattisgarh Olympic Association in Raipur.
Several important decisions regarding development of sports in the State and also about the arrangements to be made for forthcoming 37th National Games to be held in Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said that strict compliance to quality standards should be ensured while developing sports infrastructure.
Singh said in the meeting that sports talents of the State, who have won medals for Chhattisgarh during the past or who have missed winning the medal with narrow margin, should be groomed into becoming international-level sports persons.
Such sports should also be identified, and related sports persons should be provided best possible sports and training facilities, he said.
The Chief Minister said that Bastar Division is blessed with great talents in athletics as well as other sports. These talented youngsters can be trained for national and international-level sports tournaments.
Singh insisted that industries should extend support for development of sports infrastructure in Bastar.
While reviewing the preparations for 37th National Games, the Chief Minister had stated that Chhattisgarh Olympic Association should coordinate with other sports associations and chalk out action plan for expediting the preparations for National Games.
He added that as various competitions under National Games will be organized in Raipur, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon and Durg-Bhilai, proper accommodation and training arrangements for sports persons should be made in these cities.
In August this year, Chief Minister Raman Singh had stated that the State Government is making systematic arrangements for 37th National Games.
The Chief Minister gave this information during his meeting with IOA delegation organized at his residential office in Raipur.
The IOA delegation was ona tour of Chhattisgarh for inspection of ongoing arrangement in Chhattisgarh for 37th National Games.
Singh had assured the delegation that Chhattisgarh is ready to host 37th National Games.
He said that there will be no lack of funds, as State government will seek support from private industrial units and public undertakings for organizing the event.
The Chief Minister said that along with Raipur, a number of sports facilities have been developed in Durg-Bhilai, Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur.
The preparations are underway as per the guidelines of Olympics Association. Delegation from New Delhi included members of Indian Olympics Association's Executive Committee namely Balbir Singh Kushwaha, Joint Secretary's Assistant Mukesh Kumar and Suresh Sharma.