Security tightens ahead National Games

Guwahati, Jan 21 (UNI) Notwithstanding the looming threat from the banned ULFA, the preparations for the National Games here has almost been completed with the organisers ready to welcome participants and officials from outside the state.

Asom Health Minister Himanta Bishwa Sharma, the chairman of accommodation committee of the Games, informed that as many as 32 Olympic Associations from different parts of the country had so far confirmed their participation in the Games starting on February 9.

Over 1800 trained personnel from different sports federations of the country would converge here to conduct various events of the mega sports event.

Mr Sharma informed that over 7000 sportspersons and officials would come to participate in the event that would be held in the state for the first time.

He said the state government was trying to have Congress president Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate the event while the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was most likely to grace the valedictory function.

An Inspector General of Asom Police would be in overall charge of security arrangement for the National Games that would be held under watchful eyes of about 20 companies of police and paramilitary force personnel.

UNI