National Games to be held in February in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Oct 6 (UNI) The 34th National Games will be held in Jharkhand in February next year, Chief Minister Madhu Koda announced today.

As per the original schedule, the event was to be held next month.

Mr Koda said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has given approved to hold the National Games in February.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence here, the Chief Minister said the organising committee comprised 70 members with himself as the chairman.

R K Anand, president of Jharkhand Olympic Association, would be the working chairman with sports minister as the senior vice-chairman.

Sports Minister Bandhu Tirkey said the IOA also approved of ''chhaua'' (child) as the mascot of the event.

A letter signed by IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said the Games would be conducted at Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad adding that a steering committee was also constituted with A K Mattoo as the chairman and Union Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahay as co-chairman.

The Sports Minister rubbished crticism of the event not being held on time, saying works for the infrastructure were making good progress.

UNI