Preparations for 2018 National Games begin

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 23

The state government has started preparations for the 38th National Games, slated to be held in the state in 2018, said Dinesh Agrawal, Sports Minister, Uttarakhand.

While addressing mediapersons at Maharana Pratap Sports College, the minister said hosting the National Games was a big challenge for the state and sought support from all political parties and institutions of the state. As many as 32 sporting events will be held in Dehradun, Nanital and Tehri districts of the state.

Earlier, Dinesh Agrawal inspected the existing infrastructure at Maharana Pratap Sports College and gave instructions to develop them as per the international standards. He said a committee of the department, including consultants from different sports, would be formed to look into the development of sports facilities in the state. The National Games office will be opened at the college from where the committee will function.

The Sports Minister said their priority was to search for a place where the sports village could be built. The work on the sports infrastructure in the state is already in progress and existing sports complexes will be redeveloped.

The 38th National Games are likely to improve sports infrastructure and the local players will get exposure during the event. The games might help revive the tourism sector in the state, said Dinesh Agrawal.