National struggle

Recalls Gogoi: 8220;When I came to power in 2001, we didn8217;t have the money to even pay the salary of our employees but still we wanted to host the Games.8221; Of course, it was a tall order, especially when the state didn8217;t even have the Rs 5 lakh that was required to bid for the event. 8220;The AOA coffers were empty. It had just Rs 900-1,000 in the bank,8221; says Power, Industry and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, one of the key figures behind Assam getting the mega event. And that was how Assam went ahead and beat Haryana, Goa and Jharkhand in the race to host the 33rd edition through a secret ballot in Hyderabad in the winter of 2002. That also signalled the beginning of the big challenge 8212; raising international standard infrastructure worth more than Rs 350 crore from scratch, with grants from the Centre and help from the IOA, despite the turbulent politics of the region, despite the floods and rains.

Today, with 11 top-class sporting facilities, including two complexes, everybody is happy, claims Gogoi.

Says a smiling Kalmadi: 8220;The infrastructure and facilities for the players have been world class. In all sense of the term it is going to the best Games ever.8221;

But Gogoi says he realises that the Games is not just about building infrastructure and hosting the event. 8220;It is about showcasing the capability of the people,8221; says Gogoi, adding, 8220;It is about promoting sports and tourism and help the state8217;s economic development also.8221;

8220;People shy away from investing in the state thinking that it is not safe. By holding the Games successfully we want to send good signals to other parts of the world. We want to tell the people that this state is as safe and normal as any other in the country,8221; says Bordoloi.

Kalmadi agrees: 8220;Through the Games, peace was restored in Manipur. I hope the same thing will happen with Assam also.8221; In fact, Kalmadi was so impressed with some of the facilities here that he says Assam could now even be looking at hosting an international event like the SAF Games. 8220;The Games Village is so beautiful that I am even thinking of staying there,8221; Kalmadi smiles, after having food with athletes on the eve of the opening ceremony.

Yet, as Gogoi reiterates, hosting the Games successfully is just the beginning of a fresh challenge. He agrees that the state8217;s long-standing demand for good sporting facilities has been met, but the bigger test lies in being able to maintain them.

Agrees 1966 Bangkok Asian Games gold medallist and the first Arjuna Awardee from the state, Bhogeswar Barua: 8220;Our athletes run on grass or muddy tracks here and when they get to run on synthetic tracks in national or international meets they can hardly perform.8221;

Pointing to how Manipur has gone from strength to strength in the sporting arena since the National Games were held there in 1999, Barua says, 8220;This region was never short of talent. The only reason why they never excelled at the higher level was due to the lack of proper infrastructure. Manipur have utilised it to the maximum and it is our turn now.8221;

Barua also has certain plans and a blueprint to implement it. 8220;After this event is over, we all veteran sportspersons of the state are going to meet the government and tell them how they should go about from here. The sportspersons of the state have suffered for long,8221; says Barua.

Kalmadi has a suggestion. 8220;In Hyderabad, they sold the Games Village to the private sector. But this time I will ask Gogoi to keep some space for the players so that they can stay there when they come for any camp or training,8221; says Kalmadi. Will that happen or will the political will fade along with the spotlight accompanying the National Games? Only time can tell.

TRACKING THE GAMES
Nov 17, 2001:

Assam, AOA, SAI and NERSC submit a presentation at the IOA annual general body meeting in New Delhi on their plans to host the 33rd National Games.

Dec 31:

Bid documents submitted to IOA.

Dec 13, 2002:

Final presentation at IOA annual general body meeting in Hyderabad leads to Assam beating Goa and Jharkhand

Sept 10, 2006:

Assam gets February 9-18 as final Games dates after monsoons and logistical hurdles delay infrastructure development.

Nov 19:

ULFA announces boycott of Games

Feb 4-5, 2007:

Eminent sportspersons of Assam appealed to withdraw boycott. ULFA agrees

Feb 9:

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurates the Games.

WHAT THE GAMES GAVE ASSAM

Sarusajai Sports Complex: comprises Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Dr Zakir Hussain Aquatics Complex Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi AC Indoor Hall

Maulana Md Tayabullah hockey stadium

Chachal tennis complex with artificial surface.

Ganesh Mandir indoor stadium for weightlifting and wushu

Bhogeswari Phukononi indoor stdium for judo and taekwondo

RG Baruah sports complex for football, rugby-7, table tennis and wrestling

Rajiv Gandhi memorial for gymnastics and badminton.

Sonapur Sports Complex: consists of Chatra Singh Teron Archery Range, Rupnath Brahama velodrome, an indoor stadium and the kabaddi and kho-kho complex.

Charan Beel at Marigaon, 74km from Guwahati, will host canoeing, kayaking and triathlon.

Deepor Beel complex for rowing and boating

Kanaklata indoor stadium at Panbazar for karate