By A Sports Correspondent CHANDIGARH: The number of participants in the National Games to be held from November 26 to December 8 will be nearly double compared to the number of participants in the last National Games held in Kerala. Briefing the Steering Committee of the NGOC about the progress arrangements made for holding the Game sat 18 different venues in five cities in Punjab and Chandigarh, the Secretary-general of the NGOG, Indegjit Singh Bindra, said that than 5,000 sportsmen and women 4 team officials were expected to percolate in the biggest sports meet ever held in the country. The number of participants in the last National Games was nearly 3,400.

‘The increased grant of Rs 1 crore was in the final stages of approval by the Planning and Finance Department. Bindra informed the house that the Chairman had written a letter to Margaret Alva, Minister of State for Sports to increase the grant from the ‘Central Government from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh. Bindra was asked to pursue the case.

The Deputy Commissioners of cities where Games will be held have been ‘empowered to get the repair and renovation of accommodation arranged for participants on a private basis. The financial demands as projected by them had been approved and even cheques were issued to them with a go-ahead to complete the work in time. The Chairman of the Accommodation Committee, Rajinder Singh, maintained that without allotting the work on a turnkey basis, it would have been difficult to complete it on time.

The Chairman of the Food and Catering Committee, Jai Singh Gill, said that the menu for participants would be finalized soon in consultation with the Secretary General. Mr, Ratra was asked to finalize details about coverage of Games by Doordarshan besides telecast of a slot on the preparations being made for holding the games. Mr. Bindra suggested that the two films of 30 seconds each by inviting top sports stars and films stars from Punjab should be made to spread the message of the Games.

Mr. Bindra said that the revised estimates for providing infrastructure had gone up by Rs 1,69 crore. The raised demand included Rs 17 lakh for providing a sound system and administrative lights at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, for opening and close ceremonies.

Mr. Bindra said that all demands made by the NGOC to the Ministry of Sports had been cleared expeditiously, He announced that the Government cleared four synthetic tennis courts. Two of these would be installed at the Sector 10 Tennis Stadium. The Steering Committee also approved the EPDM insulators for the Jalandbar Swvimming pool bindra said the government Of India bad been requested for import permit. The installation work would be completed within 15 days. “Air Marshal K.S. Bhatia of Computerization and Communication Committee that the NLC, (National Information Centre) has agreed to provide software for the Games which would ultimately become property of the Punjab Government.

The committee was working round the Clock to meet all requirements of the NGOC.

The Chairman of the Transport Com Chandra Mohan, was asked to tie up with Indian Airlines and Railways about special flight and increased rail serve to the Punjab during the Games so that the participants were not stranded here for non- availability of transport.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 29, 1989