HOA to organise State Games from Oct 2

Chandigarh, July 7 (UNI) The Haryana Olympic Association (HOA), headed by Abhey Singh Chautala, today decided to organise the 21st State Games at Sirsa from October 2 to October 5.

Announcing this today after the annual general body meeting held in Zirakpur near here, HOA secretary general Dr M S Malik said that the Games would begin on Gandhi Jayanti Day, October 2.

''The HOA will invite state Chief Minister B S Hooda and Governor Dr A R Kidwai to be the chief guests during opening and closing ceremonies of the State Games,'' said Mr Malik and senior vice president Ashok Arora, who presided over the executive and general body meetings in the absence of Mr Chautala who was held up in Delhi due to unavoidable circumstances.

Mr Arora said, ''The HOA will also request the state government to provide financial grants as per rules and also the sports department coaches and other officials for the smooth conduct of the State Games.'' ''If the State Government continues to adopt the negative approach towards the HOA we are capable of organising the meet on our own,'' added Mr Arora.

Replying to a question, former state Finance Minister Prof Sampat Singh declared that there would be no further postponement of the State Games. Mr Arora and Prof Sampat Singh alleged that due to anti-sports policy of the state government, the HOA, affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association, was forced to twice postpone the Games.

Both of them said they were confident that this time HOA would host the 21st edition of the State Games in Sirsa and were hopeful that the State Government would change its present non-cooperative attitude and extend full cooperation in organising the Games.

UNI