Guwahati, Aug. 17: The much-awaited Games Technical Conduct Committee’s (GTCC) first meeting for the 33rd National Games will be held here on September 9 and 10, thanks to the recent visits by some of its bigwigs to inspect the progress made so far.

“We have been informedby the GTCC that it will meet here on September 9 and 10,” said Mukut Medhi, general secretary, Assam Olympic Association (AOA).

With the dates for the meeting finalised, the AOA as well as sports associations here have heaved a sigh of relief. “At last, we can now be sure that the National Games are going to be held here. We can now work with a focus,” a veteran AOA functionary said.

Chairman of GTCC, K.P. Singh Deo, member and technical director for Commonwealth Games 2010, A.S.V. Prasad and member and Indian Olympic Association joint secretary S.M. Bali had recently visited the city to inspect the development of infrastructure.

Bali had insisted that the GTCC meeting be convened as early as possible to ensure maintenance of the same tempo in preparation for the National Games. He also asked the AOA and the state sports associations to press for the meeting.

However, the announcement of dates for the meeting has put the National Games Secretariat (NGS) in a tizzy. The NGS has to meet a deadline in carrying out some rectification in the new infrastructure and purchase equipment, which Singh Deo had insisted on before the GTCC meeting.

Regarding the second scoreboard at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai, which Singh Deo had insisted was mandatory, sources in the NGS said it would be economical for Assam to borrow or hire it from another state or agency for the National Games.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has deputed veteran gymnastics organiser G.S. Bawa as a technical expert to inspect the technical aspects of the newly developed infrastructure. He will be on a two-day tour to the city from tomorrow.