Players, crowd participation draw praise from IOA, CM

Guwahati, Feb 16 (UNI) The world-class infrastructure built would be sustained and improved, with the National Games earning praise not only for the players but also for the people of the state.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, addressing a press meet here at the main stadium today, said, ''The crowd here has been beyond all expectations. The Games have also been, by far, the best ever.'' Heaping praise on the North East contingents for their performances, Mr Kalmadi said, ''Manipur has utilized the infrastructure developed there for the Games. Asom should also take the cue and produce more medal winners for the country.'' He reiterated that Asom would soon be an international sports venue.

He pointed out that almost 30 of the total 33 participating states have figured in the medals' tally, with most of the events seeing a number of new records.

Stressing on the need to encourage the medalists, Mr Kalmadi said, ''I will write to all the chief ministers to announce cash prizes of substantial amounts for the medalists of their respective states.'' He urged Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, present at the press meet, to reserve a part of the Games Village to house players so that they can assemble here for training and competing in the facilities that had been developed.

Mr Gogoi assured of the best utilisation of the infrastructure built for the Games.

''The infrastructure will be sustained and improved. A corpus fund of Rs 100 crore has also been made available for sports, more fund will follow,'' he added.

On the safe and smooth conduct of the Games, which conclude on Sunday, he said, ''Perceptions that Asom is an unsafe place has been put to rest.'' He also lauded the fact that most medalists in the Games were rural-based and the National Games provided them with a platform to hone and display their skills.

Mr Gogoi said, ''Asom annually hosts a rural sports meet, we can now plan on the lines of an all-India rural sports meet to encourage more players.'' He also mooted the idea of handing over sports facilities to private sector for their upkeep and maintenance.

Mr Kalmadi also urged for greater coverage and interest in the National and allied Games, and shift the focus from cricket alone.

UNI