Progress stalled

Ranchi, Aug. 20: The ongoing political uncertainty has cast a shadow over the preparations of the 34th National Games scheduled to be held in the state in December.

The chief minister is the chairman and the sports minister the vice-chairman of the National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) — both ex-officio posts. But, a change at the helm is likely to create many functional problems, primarily the sanction of funds. The official date for the Games — December 1, 2008 — is less than three-and-a-half months away. And if the Indian Olympic Association’s directive to test all facilities at least 45 days before the Games is to be followed, officials have two months to complete building the infrastructure and putting them to test by organising a state-level meet.

So far the NGOC has met only once in April. It has not announced or notified the sub-committees for the Games yet.

“A delay in announcing the sub-committees has already stalled preparations such as selection and training of volunteers and other important organisational aspects,” said a senior JOA official.

With several officials away, the National Games secretariat and the JOA office at the astro-turf complex have been wearing a deserted look for the past few days. “No one has been coming here for the past few days,” said a staffer on duty at the JOA office.

Surely the political crisis, coupled with the long absence of key officials, will affect the preparations of the Games.

Opinions though are divided with one section of office-bearers maintaining that strong leadership was the need of the hour to maintain the fast pace of construction work.

“Koda, who had been visiting the main venue at Hotwar frequently, had become acquainted with the requirements of the Games. Continuity was the need of the hour,” a senior office-bearer said.

However, JOA administrative secretary J.K. Sinha said he saw no problem as yet.

“The NGOC has been formed and work has started according to terms and conditions laid down in the host city contract. The state government is one of three parties to have signed that contract. I do not see any problem arising out of the political crisis,” he said.