30 state

Guwahati, Jan 27 (UNI) Asom Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi today said that about 30 state and institutions have confirmed their participation in the National Games to be held here next month.

Altogether 33 state and institutions had earlier confirmed their participation in the Games through the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Of them, Bihar, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are yet to send the participants' lists.

Mr Bordoloi, also the chairman of the media and publicity committee of the Games, told reporters, ''Till now, 30 states have send in their participants' lists. The other three are likely to send it by next week.'' He added that 7,000 players and officials have confirmed of arriving for the Games, of which nearly 6,000 are players and over 1,000 are technical officials.

Mr Bordoloi also informed that equipment for 25 events have already arrived and many have been installed. Equipment for the rest of the seven events have reached Kolkata and Delhi and they will move to Guwahati shortly, he added.

Altogether 32 events would be played in the 33rd National Games, the highest number of disciplines to be inducted ever in the history of the Games.

He said the chief minister would be holding a press conference related to the Games in New Delhi on January 29.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements had been made and security personnel were being sensitized to ensure peaceful games.

Ticket sales for the Games had been encouraging, especially in the face of terrorist threat to the event.

The banned ULFA has threatened to disrupt the Games, warning the players from outside states to participate at 'their own risk'.

However, the threat had not gone down well with the people of the state and the general public was seen enthusiastic about the event, forcing the ULFA to soften its stand.

UNI