'City ready to host National Games'

Mayor says State sent proposal to the Centre to stage event. District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna said there were several Central schemes under Sports Authority of India, which would be useful for the development of stadiums in the 13 districts.

City Mayor Koneru Sridhar greets delegates at a meeting organised by the Krishna District Olympic Association at Vijayawada on Monday. District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna and Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P.Rao are seen. PHOTO: V_RAJU.;

The city will play a major role in the conduct of the proposed 2017 National Games and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation will ensure the successful conduct of the event, according to city Mayor Koneru Sridhar here on Monday.

Speaking to mediapersons at a meeting organised by the Krishna District Olympic Association (KDOA), he said the State government had already sent a proposal to the Central government expressing its willingness to stage the mega national event. “Though the events will be held in all the important places in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada will host a majority of them,” he added.

Blueprint

Mr. Sridhar said the corporation along with the sports authority and sports associations would jointly evolve a blueprint for the successful conduct of the event.

“Vijayawada is already having four outdoor stadiums and three indoor stadiums. We need to refurbish them,” he said

District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna said there were several Central schemes under Sports Authority of India, which would be useful for the development of stadiums in the 13 districts.

Rs. 2,000-cr. budget

Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P. Rao said as a host State the organisers had the privilege to add two games to the schedule.

“What games to be added will be decided later based on performance,” he said.

He said the Rs. 2000-crore budget for the event would change the very perspective of sports and games in the new State.

“Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu proved his mettle when united A.P. hosted the National Games and Afro Asian Games at Hyderabad in the early 2000,” he pointed out.

“Proposals have already been sent to the higher-ups for laying of the 400m synthetic track at IGMC stadium and an astro turf for hockey at Makineni Basavapunnaiah stadium and renovation of the Patamata indoor stadium,” he added.

Pledging support

Several association administrators, along with VMC sports in-charge Z. Srinivasa Rao, who took part in the meeting, pledged their support for the smooth conduct of the event.