JOA to organise 34th National Games with Tata Steel: Anand

Jamshedpur, May 5 (UNI) Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) president R K Anand today said JOA has decided to organise the 34th National Games in association with the steel major Tata steel.

Breifing newspersons after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) here, Anand said since Tata Steel was keen to be a part of the games likely to be held by the end of this year or early 2008, JOA accepted the the steel majors proposal to organise the games jointly.

Anand said the blue print of the games, including the date, would be finalised in a meeting to be held with state government, a delegation of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the JOA from May 17 to 19 in Ranchi.

He said Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Sports Minister Bandhu Tirkey, the representatives of the sports ministry and the delegations of the IOA and JOA would participate in the meeting.

Anand said the allotment of the events to the steel city was yet to be finalised and the decision would be taken by the IOA's Game's Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC).

He, however, expressed concern over the lack of air connectivity from Ranchi to Jamshedpur.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the preparation of the games, Mr Anand said, ''Initially I was not satisfied with the slow progress of the work but later the pace has accelarated and the progress is much better now. Moreover, the government including the chief minisnter and the sports minister are taking special interests to organise the games on time.'' He said besides chalking out the strategy of the coming national games, the AGM also discussed about funds, holding of training camps and review of the performance of state sports persons in the 33rd national games in Guwahati and several other issues.

Besides, JOA secretary general S M Hashmi and all the office bearers took part in the meeting.

Tata Steel sports chief Satish Pillai also met Mr Anand and assured all cooperation on behalf of the company for a smooth conduct of the coming national games.

UNI