Gearing up for the 37th National Games, Goa has made extensive arrangements in the run-up to the grand opening ceremony that will witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the sporting extravaganza at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on October 26.

Giving an account of the government’s readiness to host the Games, Goa Sports Minister Govind Gaude on Tuesday said that the stadium in Fatorda will be ready by October 23 for the inaugural ceremony.

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“We have kept a breathing space of two days for carrying out any final touch-up, minor changes, etc. The Sports Village City at Campal will be ready by October 24. We have given instructions to all agencies, including Smart City, PWD, sewerage corporation, GSIDC, to halt works such as road-digging, etc, from October 25,” he said.

“Our officials are working tirelessly round the clock. We are working to fulfil this dream. We pray to the almighty that everything goes smoothly,” said Gaude.

Gaude said extensive preparations have been put in place at multiple sites near the stadium as a large crowd is expected to attend the inaugural ceremony.

Gaude further informed that the Prime Minister is expected to land at Dabolim airport before proceeding to Fatorda, where he will announce the Games open and witness the proposed programmes — singing, dancing, and electronic show. According to the Goa government, Modi will be in the stadium for an hour, and 50 minutes before a march past will see off the Prime Minister.

Highlighting the facilities that the government has kept in mind for the large crowd expected at the stadium, Gaude said that adequate parking arrangements have been made at We for Fatorda ground, Church Complex area for VIPs, the multipurpose hall area for students, the Collectorate building area exclusively for athletes besides the Science and Technology department area near Ravindra Bhavan.

“Gate 8 at the stadium will be exclusively for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entry, Gate 1 for VIPs and journalists, & Gates 4 and 5 for spectators, while all other gates will be closed,” he added.

The programme will kick off at 4 PM and the gates will be closed 1 hour prior to PM’s arrival, Gaude said.

“Spectators, students and other persons should come before 3.30pm as a large crowd is anticipated. Since it won’t be possible to accommodate over the capacity in the stadium, the Goa government has decided to install LED screens at 10 places across Goa, including open spaces, to telecast the proceedings,” the minister further said.

The entire programme will last for around 5 hours. Over 10,000 athletes will be participating in the Games from October 19 to November 9, he said.

As far as the Games are concerned, badminton is the first discipline that will commence from Thursday at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Taleigao, followed by Fencing and Volleyball.

On Tuesday, 156 athletes are expected to land at Dabolim airport and the Margao railway station.

“I urge all Goans to welcome our athletes who will be arriving in the state in the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava. Hospitality is Goa’s prime motto,” said Gaude.