Goa seeks to postpone National Games again, IOA disagrees

PANAJI: The Indian Olympic Association was “shocked” at Goa’s decision to ask for yet another postponement and has told the state government that they must hold the 36th edition of the National Games from November 1-16 later this year.
Early this year, the state government had assured IOA that Goa would host the postponed National Games in November. The state government said parliamentary elections would create hurdles in the smooth organisation of the event, but with infrastructure far from ready, Goa was forced to seek another postponement.
A meeting of high-ranking IOA officials, chaired by president Narinder Batra, was held in Delhi on Monday, and at the end of the three-hour long meeting, IOA remained firm that another request for postponement cannot be entertained.
“Goa had asked for another postponement to January (2020) but, according to the decision taken at the meeting today where the IOA president was also present, Goa must host the Games from November 1-16,” secretary general Rajeev Mehta told TOI on Monday.
Besides IOA president and secretary, treasurer Anandeshwar Panday, Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) chairman Mukesh Kumar and Goa Olympic Association (GOA) secretary Gurudutta Bhakta attended the meeting. Significantly, it is 11 years since Goa signed the Host City Contract and more than four years since the last edition of the National Games was held in Kerala. “All issues were discussed. We have informed the (state) government regarding sponsorship and GST. The dates remain the same. Goa’s request for a postponement has been declined,” said Mehta.