The National Games complex in Hotwar, Ranchi. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Jan. 7: Preparations for the six-time jinxed sporting extravaganza turned a full circle today with the NGOC executive board once again handpicking Mumbai-based event management firm Wizcraft International for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 34th National Games, beginning February 12.

The board meeting was chaired by chief minister Arjun Munda.

Wizcraft and another Mumbai firm, Carving Dreams, were the only two that responded to the organising committee tender, floated last month. The latter did not qualify on technical grounds. Event managers with an annual turnover of Rs 4 crore in any of the three preceding years and experience of organising opening and closing ceremonies of national or international events of not less than Rs 2 crore in the past five years fit the bill.

Wizcraft had been picked for the prestigious job even in 2008, but got embroiled in controversy after the principal accountant-general in his probe report objected to its selection since it was not the lowest bidder. The public fund monitor had also objected to payment of Rs 2.59 crore as mobilisation advance without proper bank guarantee.

This time, Wizcraft quoted Rs 12.78 crore in comparison to Rs 8.65 crore in 2008. However, the NGOC board negotiated for services at the old rate with additional funds of Rs 1.3 crore for power back-up, thus striking the deal at Rs 9.95 crore.

The event management company is yet to decide on celebrities who will grace the opening and closing ceremonies. “They will make a presentation before the board in a week or so,” special secretary, sports, Nitin Madan Kulkarni told The Telegraph.

The two-and-a-half hour opening ceremony will comprise a presentation by the Indian Army band, flower shower by IAF choppers, National Games anthem, march past by state outfits and a documentary on tribal icon Birsa Munda’s life and struggle. “M.S. Dhoni is being roped in for the opening. The chief minister will shortly visit Delhi to also invite the President and the Prime Minister for the opening and closing ceremonies, respectively,” Kulkarni said.

The two-hour closing ceremony will see drills by children, folk dances, celebrity performances, laser shows and fireworks among others. The special secretary (sports) said Calcutta’s CMG Group would organise hour-long cultural programmes every evening from February 14-25.