Guwahati contender for SAF Games: Kalmadi

Guwahati, Feb 9 (UNI) Guwahati should be a strong contender to host the future edition of the South Asian Games, said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi.

Talking to newsmen last night, he said that he was ''stunned'' at the infrastructure put in place for the 33rd National Games.

''What I like most is the Games Village. Moreover all the stadiums are of international standard and for that I must congratulate Asom Government,'' he said.

''These are world class infrastructure and Asom Government must protect it. Because not only the Guwahati is a strong contender for the SAF Games now but in fact, many sports federations will like to host their national event here at the Guwahati because of good infrastructure and good connectivity both by road and air,'' Mr Kalmadi added.

Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also said that Asom Olympic Association (AOA), of which he is the President, is contemplating to bid for the SAF Games.

''This is the best way to put the infrastrucvture in use,'' he said.

Mr Kalmadi, who has been monitoring the development of the infrastructure over the last four years, said that he was simply taken aback by the sheer size and standard of each infrastructure.

''The organisers have kept two rooms for me in the Games village and they were just amazing,'' he said. He in fact requested Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi not to sell all the flats of the Games Village to the private sector. At least accommodation for 1000 should be kept aside for future sports events.

The Chief Minister readily agreed when Mr Kalmadi pressed for it, citing that Hyderabad sold off all the properties after the National Games.

''This National Games Village infrastructure is better than the Asiad,'' he said.

''Of the last four National Games, two were hosted by North East.

This only indicated how much we give importance to the region.

Manipur successfully hosted the Games and peace dawned after that. I wish that same thing happens in Asom also. After the Games, youth of Asom will realize the importance of the sports,'' he said. He also raised alarm about the future use of the Games infrastructure.

Recalling the intial days, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that Asom's financial condition was so bad that even the bid money of Rs 25 lakh was not there.

''Somehow we managed. Beside the financial hardship, there were the insurgency and other nature related problems. But despite that we could host it successfully and that is our pride,'' he said.

''In true sense, this best and by far the biggest National Games,'' he said.

UNI