MAPUSA
With just about 10 days left for the 37th National Games to kick off in the State, it’s a race against time to put the infrastructure in place and get ready for the biggest sports extravaganza.
At Peddem sports complex in Mapusa, which is one of the centres amongst several venues to host the Games, the story is no different and the place is a beehive of activity.
The stadiums in Peddem are getting spruced up for the mega event which will see participants from 28 states and eight union territories participating in the Games.
To be fair to the organisers, most of the major works in the stadiums are nearly complete or are expected to be completed within the next few days and delivered just in time.
All hands at work
All hands are at work to accomplish the balance tasks and if people on ground are to be believed, the jobs will be completed well before the deadline.
While the quality of the work will be tested with the passage of time, at least the delivery is expected to be well within the time.
The prestigious 37th National Games is officially kicking off on October 26 but some of the sports events are beginning even before that. Gymnastics is starting at the multi-purpose indoor stadium in Peddem on October 23.
Hockey turf laid out
The only outdoor game to be held in Peddem is hockey. While the hockey ground with its astro turf is ready to host the Games even tomorrow, work on constructing the roof over the only pavilion for spectators was going on full steam. A team of gas cutters et al were working overtime to fix the rail roofing which will be then covered.
Apart from the main turf, there is a practice turf adjacent to the main turf ground. The practice turf has been provided with flood light facility so that teams could practice even late in the night. A little distance away from the hockey field is the multi-purpose indoor stadium in the campus which will host gymnastics and boxing disciplines. The entire wooden flooring has been overhauled and a new wooden floor has been set up at the sprawling indoor stadium. The Maple wood which is used to cover the floor is imported from the United States.
While the wooden floor has been set up, the finishing work is far from over and will take some more days before it’s ready for use.
“We are ready. Only the buffing and polishing of the floor is left which will be done within the next two days. It should be ready by Monday (October 15),” an executive engineer told this reporter.
The other two sports events – billiards and snooker – will be held at the badminton hall.
Except for the fixing of the lights and air conditioning unit, the badminton hall has not undergone any major changes.
However, the seating arrangement and cleaning work is yet to be completed inside the hall.
While the stadiums are getting spruced up, the entire complex needs some deep cleaning.
Some deep cleaning pending
One could spot several open areas with overgrown bushes and even piles of mud and rubble.
“We have eight days to go before the gates are open for the first sports event – Gymnastics – to be held in Peddem on October 23. The entire place will undergo a total change within the next three to four days. We are ready,” an official said, sounding very confident.
Overall, it looks like Peddem centre will be ready, just in time.
