IOA promises 'best-ever' National Games

New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today welcomed separatist outfit ULFA's withdrawal of boycott call of the 33rd National Games and said the move has paved way for the peaceful organisation of the ''biggest and best ever'' edition of the extravaganza.

About 7000 athletes, besides 4000 officials, representing 29 states, three Union Territories and Services will compete in 32 disciplines at the 10-day event getting under way in Guwahati from February 9.

''ULFA's withdrawal of the boycott call is a welcome move and it will help in peaceful conduct of the National Games,'' IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told reporters here today.

Mr Kalmadi also praised state associations and athletes who defied ULFA's threats to throng the Asom metropolis and assured that there would be no let up in the security.

''The (ULFA's boycott call) withdrawal notwithstanding, there would be no let up in the security of the participants. In fact, it was commendable that despite ULFA's threats, state associations were sending athletes in droves. Nobody wavered.

''And now we are going to have the biggest and best-ever games.

The infrastructure is excellent and close to Rs 300 crores have been spent to make it match the international standards,'' he said.

Mr Kalmadi said in order to ensure dope-free games, all state associations had been warned to make their athletes know that the dope samples in the games would be sent to IOC accredited lab in Bangkok.

He also discarded the notion that top athletes were staying away from the extravaganza.

''Almost all the top athletes, barring a few who are undergoing training abroad, are coming to Guwahati. The competition will be of highest level,'' he said.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will preside over the opening ceremony scheduled to begin at 1600 hrs on Friday.

UNI