Uncertainity looms large over National games

Guwahati, Dec 21: Uncertainty, thy name is National Games -- this could perhaps sum up the past year's additions towards Asom hosting the 33rd National Games which is now scheduled to start on February 9, 2007.

A final date schedule, followed in close tow by an ULFA threat, were the important additions to the controversy called the 33rd National Games, the state was due to hold this year.

The Games, surrounded in a myriad of controversies ever since the state won the votes to host it in December of 2002, saw more controversies in 2006. However, the year brought good news for the sports lovers after being let down the for the past five years.

Though the Games failed to kick off from October 5, as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has asked the Asom Olympic Association (AOA) to ensure the finalised schedule was announced in July. The gala sporting event is now all set to be held from February 9 to February 18 next year.

Just when the row over allocation of contracts and quality of infrastructure was being resolved amiably and the state government prepared for the Games in all mirth, the ULFA decided to air its displeasure over the sporting event.

The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) issued a threat in November this year, asking all sportspersons to refrain from participating 'for their own safety'.

But the outfit found itself on the receiving end of a public backlash, with the general men as well as sportspersons coming out in the open against the ULFA threat. The militants were forced to soften their stand, demanding the re-christening of the National Games as 'Assam Sports Festival' for withdrawing the threat. Though the state government has rejected the demand but has promised full security during the Games, the threat has led to a question mark on outside states' willingness to participate.

The participants would be sweating it out for medals in a total of 32 disciplines, with squash, rugby and lawn bowling the new entrants for this edition of the National Games. The events would be spread over 15 venues in and around the city.

The Games would also mean massive expenditure on the organisers' front with the state government allocating Rs 34 crore for the conduct of the Games in the budget for 2006-07 alone.

While the Sarusajai main complex has been built at a cost of Rs 77.9 crore, the Tepesia complex cost Rs 23.70 crore and the indoor stadium at RG Baruah Sports Complex was set up spending Rs 11.86 crore. The cost of Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium was quite high as Rs 31 crore had to be spent for that project.

The AOA can also heave a sign of relief finally after having faced criticism for the delay in putting the necessary infrastructure in place. IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi, along with the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) head K P Singh Deo, had words of praise for the infrastructure.

The world-class infrastructure led Mr Kalmadi to announce that the city was being actively considered as a venue for hosting some of the international events which the country would be bidding for and hosting in the next few years. The various sport associations of the state have already started conducting coaching camps to ensure that the hosts put up a good show at the Games.

The sporting festival is also promising to be a boon for the denizens of Guwahati as the city is up for a major facelift. The Games Village, which would accommodate the 8,500 participants, would also be a favoured residential complex for the denizens once the Games are over and the flats are up for sell.

The organisers, in a bid to make up for the delays and the controversies, have now gone on a publicity blitz and innovative plans to appease the participants. A muppet of the mascot, a one-horned rhinocerous named 'Rongmon', has already hit the streets.

Special songs for the Games, sung by leading singing sensations of the state, including Zubin Garg, have been released by the organisers.

Former beauty queen and actress Diya Mirza has already confirmed participation in the opening ceremony, with the organiser's wish of bringing in Shahrukh Khan dashed due to financial constraints. The organisers are on the look out for more stars to add to the glamour quotient of the event and attract people, otherwise cowed down by a ULFA threat.

As the host state goes all-out to promote the Games and ensure a hassle-free conduct, the ULFA threat has led to serious concerns about the Games actually taking place. With the militant outfit yet to withdraw the threat, the Games could perhaps wait for more controversies in the new year, though the popular sentiment was in favour of conduct of the sporting event.

UNI