NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association asked its state and national units on Tuesday sports federations ensure the participation of the country’s best athletes in the 36th National Games which will be held at several venues in Gujarat from September 29 to October 12.
Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar will host the National Games to be held after a seven-year hiatus since 2015, while the track cycling event will be held in New Delhi.
“To ensure the esteemed importance of the National Games, the participation of all eligible eminent athletes who have competed/won medals at the International Games and Championships is required to participate in the 36th National Games,” said the IAO said in a letter to all DSFs and State Olympic Associations.
“Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations are urged to keep this in mind when selecting athletes to represent their sports and States,” the IOS Secretary General said. Rajeev Mehta said in the letter.
Mehta said the full support and cooperation of the IOA, DSFs and National Olympic Associations will play a vital role in the success of the National Games.
“As far as the athletes are concerned, the participation in the National Games is the most important for them.”
Mehta said the NSF will tell the AIO which of the top athletes in the country are available for the National Games.
“I asked the FNS and they will answer who among the top athletes are available or not. We will see after that.”
An estimated 7,000 athletes from 28 states and eight union territories are expected to compete in 36 disciplines that include most traditional Olympic sports.
Indigenous sports like mallakhamb and yogasana will also feature in the National Games for the first time.
The 36th National Games were officially launched on Sunday at the EKA Arena TransStadia in Ahmedabad in the presence of eminent political and sporting dignitaries.
Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar will host the National Games to be held after a seven-year hiatus since 2015, while the track cycling event will be held in New Delhi.
“To ensure the esteemed importance of the National Games, the participation of all eligible eminent athletes who have competed/won medals at the International Games and Championships is required to participate in the 36th National Games,” said the IAO said in a letter to all DSFs and State Olympic Associations.
“Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations are urged to keep this in mind when selecting athletes to represent their sports and States,” the IOS Secretary General said. Rajeev Mehta said in the letter.
Mehta said the full support and cooperation of the IOA, DSFs and National Olympic Associations will play a vital role in the success of the National Games.
“As far as the athletes are concerned, the participation in the National Games is the most important for them.”
Mehta said the NSF will tell the AIO which of the top athletes in the country are available for the National Games.
“I asked the FNS and they will answer who among the top athletes are available or not. We will see after that.”
An estimated 7,000 athletes from 28 states and eight union territories are expected to compete in 36 disciplines that include most traditional Olympic sports.
Indigenous sports like mallakhamb and yogasana will also feature in the National Games for the first time.
The 36th National Games were officially launched on Sunday at the EKA Arena TransStadia in Ahmedabad in the presence of eminent political and sporting dignitaries.
