WSN Sports Correspondent LUDHIANA, (Punjab) More than 7,000 ‘sportspersons and officials will converge in five major towns of Punjab in the third week of November for the most extravagant sports event of the decade in the state.

‘The entire movement machinery is ‘geared up to provide infrastructure at all 18 venues, spread over five cities of Punjab for the National Games, scheduled to be held during November26December 8.

A team of journalists, saw for itself the ‘construction of infrastructure going on a ‘war footing under the direct supervision of respective district commissioner, There was a sense of urgency as the deadline set for completion of work was nearing

Although the officials were optimistic that work to all venues would be completed before the set date, there are apprehensions at least about a couple of venues.

One of them is the Burlton Park hockey stadium where the super turf is being laid. Designed by a Bombay based architect, the stadium is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore. The installation of imported super turf (from a Texas company) will cost another Rs 1 crore, The turf is yet to arrive in India. For an eventuality, the National Games Organizing Committee is keeping two natural surface grounds ready for holding the competition, both for men ‘and women,

Another is the delay in laying of synthetic track of Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Ludhiana, the main venue where opening and closing ceremonies for the Games are scheduled.

Similarly, there was some snag and delay in the execution of work in the swimming pool at the State School of Sports in Jalandhar. The renovation was complete in the first week of September after the blue print had been sanctioned by the Ministry of Sports. It was then that the members of the technical committee pointed out some defects in the construction.

The National Games will provide an ‘opportunity to the sportsmen and sports lovers, coming from different states, to know Punjab better,

Ludhiana, considered the Manchester of Punjab, and one of the largest, richest and the biggest industrial towns of North India, will have the honor of holding the opening and closing ceremonies, besides conducting athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, handball and volleyball event,

At the renovated Guru Nanak Dev Stadium, besides the opening, closing ceremonies and athletic events, football, semifinals and finals are also scheduled to be staged. The total expenditure on the 30,000 capacity stadium would be around Rs 3 crore. Work began as late as on June 7 elaborate arrangements are being made for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The main attraction will be an unusual performance by dancing mares from Pakis tan, the endeavor of the organizers would be to depict the rich heritage of the Punjabi culture and folk. The main attraction of the closing ceremony will be a display of tent pegging by traditionally attired Nihang Sikhs.

Behind the Nanak Stadium is the basketball ground where three courts will be in operation during the Games.

R.S, Chauhan, a former Indian decathlon champion, is in charge of the synthetic track at the stadium, and hoped that would be ready in time for the Games. And across the road is the warm-up area which will be connected to the main stadium, by a flyover. Nearby is the volleyball courts inside a multipurpose hall, built at a cost of. Rs 70 lakh.

A new velodrome is coming up at Pun jab Agriculture University. It is designed by the same architects who did the work at ‘Yamuna Velodrome in Delhi.

The administrators expect that the Games would put Ludhiana on the national sports map of the country. Nothing is being left to chance by the organizer.

Jalandhar is the sports goods city of the state. It is dressing itself for the National Games. Table tennis, hockey, swimming, diving, water polo, badminton and kabbadi will be held there, Jalandhar’s Burlton Park, with its sylvan surroundings, will have a hockey stadium, equipped with all modem facilities.

Jalandhar has produced a galaxy of hockey players, some of whom having represented the country. Special mention. Must be made of village Sansarpur which has produced eight Olympic hockey players. It is befitting that the hockey cham pionships should have been allotted to this town,

A modem solar heated pool will be ready by the end of the month to hold swimming events. The Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium built at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, will be the venue for table tennis. Raizada Hansraj Stadium is being renovated for badminton.

The third important venue will be Ch andigarh where rowing, shooting, golf and tennis will be held. Rowing yachting, canoeing and kayaking will be Sukhna Lake, ‘whose catchment area lies on the Shivalik Hills and is a rainfed lake. It is one of the most vital organs of Chandigarh’s life. Six teen boats have been purchased from UK at a cost of Rs 14.80 lakh for use during the games. The third Asian Regatia is to be held at the lakh from November I to 5 when sportsmen from Japan, China the two Koreas, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the hosts will be playing for top honors. The Indian probable, are being coached by a Russian, Mikhauloy Oleg.

The shooting ranges at Patiali KiRaoare being renovated and a 10 meter air weapon range being constructed besides the existing two 50m ranges. The 300 m range is being converted into a 25m range.

One cannot think of Patiala without thinking of sports. It is, in fact, the cradle of sports in the state, Archery, equestrian, gymnastic kho-kho and weightlifting events are to be held in this princely city. A new multipurpose hall is under constriction and will be utilized for conduct of gymnastics.

The wrestling events have been allotted to Amritsar (Gole Bagh) which is being renovated at a cost of Rs 35 lakh.

Security will be a major problem during the games.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 3, 1989