32nd NATIONAL
GAMES - 2002
P.J.
Sudhakar*
Sports is an integral part of the all
round development of human personality. Achievements in sports
not only influence the concerned individual but also have a great
impact on national prestige and morale. Therefore, the Government
has formulated a new Sports Policy 2001, keeping in view the contribution
of sports to the well-being of the society.
In a pluralistic
society like India the sports, especially the National Games,
aim at to dig out talent in Indian youth, promote greater understanding
among different sections of people besides contributing to national
integration. The National Games are organised once in every two
years with a view to promote and develop sports and games and
also to create international standard sports infrastructure in
host States. This year the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and
the Andhra Pradesh government are organising the National Games
as one of the biggest sporting events in India. The Andhra Pradesh
government is hosting the 32nd National Games at Hyderabad commencing
from December 13 - 22, 2002. Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh
(SAAP) is working as a catalyst of National Games. The first National
Games were held in the year 1924. The 31st National Games were
organised at Ludhiana, Punjab, in the year 2001. This is the second
time i.e., after 1979 that the mega sports event is being organised
at Hyderabad.
To look after the
arrangements for the event and to provide necessary infrastructure
of international standards, the Hyderabad National Games Organisation
Committee (HNGOC) is constituted with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh,
Dr.C. Rangarajan as the chief
Patron and Shri.N. Chandrababu Naidu as its President. The Hyderabad
National Games Organisation Committee has recently reviewed the
arrangements of the games. A High-level Committee headed by H.J.
Dora, President of AP Olympic Association and Chairman of Technical
Sub-Committee of National Games has also recently reviewed the
various aspects of the Organisation of Games especially regarding
the facilities provided at Games village at Gachibowli.
A separate Secretariat
for National Games 2002 has been opened at Lal Bahadur Stadium
in Hyderabad. The Secretariat is having three meeting halls and
providing accommodation to the offices of Secretary General of
National Games, Special Officer of National Games, Organising
Secretary and Advisors to National Games and Managing Director
of SAAP.
The AP State Government
has recently appointed Shri. P.N.V. Prasad as SAAP Chairman. The
AP State Minister for the Sports Shri.P. Ramulu and Managing Director
of State Shri.L.V. Subramanyam are working round the clock to
look after the arrangements of the National Games. The President
of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will declare open the games while
the Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee will participate
as chief guest of the valedictory function.
Events
Four new medal events
namely Netball, Triathlon, Sepak Takraw and Beach Volleyball have
been introduced for the first time as medal disciplines. The IOA
has also decided to introduce Roller Skating as a demonstration
event in the ensuing games. In National Games 2002 the competitions
will be held in 30 disciplines viz. Athletics, Aquatics, Archery,
Basketball, Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Canoeing and Kayaking,
Boxing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Handball, Net
Ball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Rowing, Sepak
Takraw, Triathlon, Taekwondo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Wrestling,
Volleyball, Weightlifting, Shooting and Yatching. Twenty three
events will be conducted in Cyberabad, Hyderabad and Secunderabad
and seven events namely Yatching, Beach Volleyball, Triathlon,
Judo, Weightlifting, Netball will be conducted at the port city
of Visakhapatnam. About 8000 sports persons from all the States
and Union Territories are expected to participate in the National
Games along with 2000 technical officials for organising the event.
It is expected that atleast 50,000 spectators will turn up daily
to witness games.
The total anticipated
expenditure on the National Games is approximately Rs.220 crore.
Out of this, Rs. 200 crore will be spent on infrastructure. The
remaining Rs.20 crore will be spent on conducting the games.
Logo and Mascot
The logo of the
32nd National Games 2002, Hyderabad depicts Pearls, the rich heritage
of Hyderabad and athlete torch, the national flame of sports.
It is designed to depict the spirit of the game. It portrays mutual
understanding and camaraderie besides spelling solidarity and
fair play. The Mascot is the Ongole Bull, named aptly ‘Veera’
which means bravery. The mascot defines the character of the
game. The characteristics of the bull have been strongly associated
with the facets of an achiever – power, strength, passion, confidence
and endurance. The mascot and the logo may be depicted in the
proposed commemorative postal stamp to be brought out on the eve
of National Games 2002. The picture of athletic stadium of Gachibowli
which is named after late Shri G.M.C. Balayogi, former Speaker
of the Lok Sabha may be depicted on the proposed first day cover.
Facilities
The Indian Olympic
Association has all rights, complete control and full jurisdiction
over the National Games 2002. A website, www.nationalgames2002.com
is already on the Internet by means of which online volunteer
registration/enrolment and accreditation of sports persons, officials,
volunteers, media and other related personnel can be made. Fax,
telephone, telex and computer facilities will also be provided
for media personnel at the venue of the games. The strategies
for marketing and media publicity have also been finalised. AIR
and Doordarshan have taken necessary measures for electronic media
coverage of the Games.
Fourteen sub-committees
each headed by a State Minister backed by senior bureaucrats for
volunteers, reception, hospitality, accreditation, media and publicity,
medical and security have already had deliberations. The arrangements
for the stringent dope tests have also been provided. The State
government has sent the observers to the Punjab games village
to study the organisational aspects to conduct the games in a
better way. The State government has also commissioned the services
of National Cadet Corps, NSS, National Green Corps, Scouts and
Guides as volunteers for the games. They will be given exclusive
uniform to be designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology,
Hyderabad. The event require a total number of 18,000 volunteers
for its smooth conduct. The government will also utilise the services
of physical education teachers and physical directors of local
Colleges and Universities. Shri. Sabyasachi Ghosh a Senior IAS
officer has been appointed as a Special Officer of the National
Games and six advisors have been appointed for the event.
A tie-up with the
AP Tourism Development Corporation is being worked out for sight
seeing for the participants on off-days. The necessary arrangements
have been made to decorate historical places like Charminar, Golconda
Fort, etc. The State Director General of Police has made elaborate
security arrangements for the VIPs and sportspersons who are participating
in the functions and events of National Games.
The officials of
the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Indian Olympic
Association are coordinating with Andhra Pradesh Government in
conducting the 32nd National Games 2002. The Government of India
is fully committed for the cause of sports and National Games
movement in India. (PIB Features)
*Information
Officer, PIB, Hyderabad
