Olympians and ex-international to be invited to National Games

Ranchi: Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto today said directions were given to draw a list of Olympians and former international players so that they could be invited for the February 12-26 National Games.

"We will invite Olympians and other former players, both from Jharkhand and outside the state. We have asked the respective sports associations to give names so that inviations could be sent on time," Mahto, who also holds the Sports and Youth Affairs portfolio, told newsmen here. Stating that 95 per cent of work in all the nine new stadia have been completed, he said directions have been issued to hand over the venue within next fifteen days. "A sum of Rs 19 crore was sanctioned on security matters. And the home department will make a presentation giving a detailed report its preparations for the games," Mahto, who held separate meetings with supporting departments like Home and Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) during the day, said. "We promise to make the national games a success, and the participants will return happility carrying a positive message," he said in the face of the games being postponed for seven times since 2007. About 10,500 players and officials could be accommodated at the newly constructed Khelgaon where 3,600 rooms were ready, he added. PTI