By WSN Sports Correspondent CHANDIGARH: Work on some of the infrastructure needed for the National Gaies, scheduled to be held in Punjab from November26 to December 8 next week, is way behind schedule.

This frank admission was made by Indenjit Singh Bindra, Secretary General, Giganising Committee National Games and Secretary, Sports, Government of Punjab and Vice President of the Punjab Olympic Association the organizers of the games.

Briefing newsmen on the progress made, Bindra said laying of an artificial surface for the hockey tournament, scheduled 10 be field at Jalandhar, had become the greatest Boitle neck for the Organizing Committee. Originally the Organizing Committee had opted to lay a Super turf surface at Burlton Park, Jalandhar and the necessary letter of intent was issued to the US company.

Subsequently the Organizing Committee was informed that Superturf had been derecognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). However, the manufacturers of Superturf contested the report and said the company had been given fresh clearance by the FIH, No Reply Ye ‘With so much dust raised the Organizing Committee referred the matter to the Union Ministry of Sports from whom a reply is yet to be received. Bindra said a final decision on the issue has to be taken within a week failing which it would be next to impossible to lay the synthetic surface in time for the games.

If the surface has to be changed from Superturf to Astroturf or Polygras then fresh negotiations would have to be conducted with the manufacturers of these surfaces, The manufacturers of Super turf had agreed to give equipment worth $42,000 to the Organizing Committee for use during the Games.

In case the artificial surface cannot be laid in Jalandhar in time for the Games the hockey tournament may have to be shifted either to Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) or the National Institute of Sports (Patiala).

At both places Astroturf pitches exist However, some expenses would have to be incurred at both places for construction of stands for spectators.

Gymnssium

The construction of the gymnasium at Patiala and the multipurpose hall at Guru Nani Stadiambl udisdana dor boda and table tennis is also a little behind schedule. But Bindra was hopeful that the pace of ‘work would improve and the facilities will be ready in time,

Working on all other complexes was progressing according to the schedule, He was satisfied with the progress of the shramdan’ atthe Sukhna Lake here, venue ‘of most of water sports events. The wrestling stadium at Gol Bagh, Amritsar, was being renovated at a cost of Rs 40 lakh with half the money being released by the Municipal Corporation.

Similarly the work on the velodrome for cycling being built by Punjab Agricultural University was progressing smoothly,

Resource Crunch

The Organizing Committee is also facing resource crunch, according to Bindra, The total expenditure on the infrastructure had been scaled down to Rs 12 crore from the original Rs 19 crore. Another Rs 3,80 crore will be needed for the organization of the games.

So far the centre had released Rs 3.8 crore and the Organizing Committee was hopeful of getting an additional Rs 32 crore. Mr, Bindra was hopeful of raising the remitting money through a lottery in aid of the National Games (permission for which had already been sought from the State Government, sponsorship and from the sale of advertisement space in the 17 venues of the Games.

He also disclosed that entry to a number of events specially the more popular ones and the opening and closing ceremonies would be by ticket. The opening and the closing ceremonies were scheduled to be held at Ludhiana

Equipment Import

The Organizing Committee had sought foreign exchange to the tune of Rs2.5 crore for the import of equipment needed for Games. But the Union Sports Ministry had informed the committee that the Sports Authority of India (SAT) would import the necessary equipment and loan them to the POA for the duration of the games.

Admitting that such a move would save the Organizing Committee Rs 25 crore, Mr. Bindra was still keen to import the equipment which could be put to use at the various centres being run by the sports Department, He said the whole purpose of organizing the National Games in Punjab Was to usher in ‘sports revolution’ in the State. Lack of equipment would defeat the purpose.

Coaching Camps

Speaking about Punjab’s preparation for the games, Bindsa said the State Government would sanction any number of coaching camps for Punjab teams. However, no association bad yet made a formal application for conducting such camps.

T.C. Gupta, the POA Secretary, who also attended the Press briefing, said the POA had identified certain sports disciplines in which the State is expected to gamer medals. In this connection he mentioned hockey, football, wrestling, boxing ‘and cycling. He disclosed that a special ‘committee had been set up (0 oversee the coaching camps of various associations. Also, State championships in the 27 disciplines of the National Games will be conducted by the end of September and performances in these championships will form the basis for the selection of the Punjab squad for the National Games.

Bindra disclosed that the Organization Committee was negotiating with a Kerala firm for the computerization of results. The results from the various centres would be made available to the media in Chandigarh during the games.

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 9, 1989