Ready to host National Games in September 2017: Goa Minister

Panaji: After requesting to defer the dates of the National Games, the Goa government on Tuesday expressed willingness to host the Games in September 2017 as the required infrastructure is getting ready.

"Initially we had requested (to Indian Olympics Association) that Goa should not be asked to host the National Games scheduled in November 2016 as we were expecting early elections (for the Goa Legislative Assembly)," State Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar told reporters in Vasco.

"But now the state government is ready and formal proposal has been submitted to IOA stating that the National Games can be hosted in Goa in September 2017," he added.

The elections for the State Legislative Assembly are due before March 2017.

Tawadkar said various places have been identified in the state where infrastructure will be created to host National Games.

He said the archery field would be in Poinguinim village.

Earlier in March this year, Tawadkar had told the State Legislative assembly that the National Games were tentatively finalised from November 5-19, 2016.

He had told the Assembly that Goa has already received an amount of Rs 97.80 crore from the Centre to host the Games.