It has been a team effort

He has worn many caps through his nearly 50 years in public life. Initially as a student and youth leader, a key party functionary thereafter, before becoming a representative of the people and finally a Minister. And having proved a man of all seasons, the Sports Minister, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, was candid as he spoke to A. Vinod on the eve of the 35{+t}{+h}National Games.

Q: Your take on Kerala’s preparedness to host the Games.

A: I strongly feel that it has been a team effort which has helped us achieve readiness to host the Games in such a short span of time. And now, you can see that all the stadia are ready and all the equipment are in place. The greatest satisfaction to me, personally, is that we have been able to stick to the budget which was prepared in 2011, despite there having been a solid 40 per cent inflation in between.

Q: What about the legacy plan to ensure that all the infrastructure are put to good use in future?

A: The new Greenfield stadium by itself is part of our legacy plan. We have a few things in mind and hope to come out with a detailed plan soon after the Games.

Q: Are you sure that the Kerala athletes will do well at the Games?

A: Yes. We have a talented pool and I am sure that they will help Kerala top the medals tally.