— Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

ALL GEARED UP: A bird's eye view of the Indira Gandhi athletic stadium where the 33rd National Games will begin.

GUWAHATI : The 33rd National Games will open on Friday amidst high expectations. A great moment of pride for the people of Assam, the Games will strive to send a message of peace and to detest violence on the path of glory, economic growth and prosperity.

Torn by years of bloodshed, it is time this beautiful State opened a new chapter in history with the Games promising to bring in unity in diversity.

The National Games has given Assam a bounty in the shape of modern infrastructure for the youth to take the road to excellence and to provide the right talent for the country's quest for recognition in international sporting arena.

Biggest

As many as 8000 athletes and 2000 officials will congregate here for the 10-day festival, touted to be the biggest in the history of India in terms of participation of sportspersons and the number of disciplines — 32 to be precise — to be organised in a scale never seen in the past.

Almost eight to nine per cent of the state budgetary allocation was pumped in over a period of three years to complete the infrastructure requirement. With liberal grant coming from the Central Government, Assam needed to put in an extra effort to complete its obligation of giving the best possible conditions.

After the 1999 Imphal National Games, this is the second time a north eastern State is hosting this event.

Here is the chance for the Assam Olympic Association (AOA), an affiliate of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), to come in to support sport that can bring in lasting peace in this once tranquil State known for its famous tea and oil.

Under pressure to complete the task of hosting the 33rd chapter of the Games, the Assam Government placed the onus on the bureaucracy to get things done. And in the wake of the Executives' enthusiasm to march forward, the AOA got on the wrong end of the stick with its members completely marginalised.

Ultimate beneficiary

Yet, it will be these officials who will ultimately benefit with the gains of the sporting event. In a clear departure from tradition the UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi will declare the Games open instead of the President of India. The opening ceremony will commence at 4 p.m.

With tight security in place, the only threat that looms large is the gloomy weather. Intermittent rain for the past four days has dampened the spirit somewhat. But it is expected that the weather will improve and allow sun to shine brightly to give a chance to sportspersons to perform at their best. None other than the Games' mascot, `Rongmon' — an amazing rhino — exemplifies the spirit of the National Games. The striking one horned rhinoceros, unique to the state, symbolises the spirit of strength and dignity, of determination and humility and of unbound patience.

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