The National games that were originally scheduled to be held in Nov 2016, after repeated delays and red tapism have finally taken off and are in progress in Goa. The much awaited event that Goans have been eagerly waiting for years has turned into a huge scam with corruption leaving its footprints at every venue and every discipline of the games, and specially the sportspersons participating in various events are facing the brunt.
National Games is a big event that acts as an inspiration for the young sportspersons and propels them to step out with the goal of some day donning the national colours. From the big names like Niraj Chopra to PV Sindhu and other big stars giving a miss due to pre occupation with international games commitment, the games were robbed of its shine and glory. Further, the aim and greed of the powers for siphoning off huge amounts of money that be coupled with incompetency of those responsible for organizing and conduct of the games has resulted in the poor conduct of the games. Despite repeated highlighting of the shortcomings, the authorities failed to undertake course correction. Even the media, both national and local have not been spared, as also the games officials and most importantly the spectators. All stakeholders have been robbed of the excitement that all had been waiting for the much anticipated mega event being propelled with the tax payers money.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that commencing from the tendering process of identifying/finalizing the Project Management Company to oversee the entire gamut of games, to escalation of estimated costs/bids, restricting the bidders by tailoring the TORs and criterias, awarding of various contracts including setting up of overlays for games, advertisements, catering, transport, security, hospitality, etc have been steeped in the dark alley of corruption and nepotism. It seemed that the main idea was to award contracts to firms from the Modani land, bringing the stink of crony capitalism to the fore. The collapse of the arch injuring the policeman at Navelim indoor stadium to falling of the pillar at Bambolim and the leakage of rain water through the so called water proof SRF roof top cover is a testimony to the level of corruption involved in the conduct of games. The Congress party demands an immediate SAFETY AUDIT of the games to obviate any avoidable incident/accident that can cause damage, injury or even loss of life.
Capt. Fernandes also questioned the rationale behind the promise of the PM during the inauguration of the games that the infrastructure so built for the games would help Goa’s sportspersons to excel. But alas, the infrastructure is temporary overlays that would be dismantled once the games are over.
It seems that the Government has gone all out to make the games a success, with even the Mamlatdar of a Taluka and a Chief Officer of a Municipality being posted at the venue, thus causing hardships to the elderly and needy who visit the respective government departments for their personal/official work. Workers belonging to some departments like the Kadamba Transport department have been stationed as Volunteers at the venues, thus hampering the transport department’s smooth operation. There are various such cases where the government and organisers have faltered extensively.
As the money belongs to public exchequer and runs into almost a thousand crores, the Congress party demands that a thorough enquiry be ordered to unearth the massive scam and punish the guilty involved in usurping peoples’ money. The enquiry be held under a retired Judge of a High Court so that the people involved in the scam ranging from ministers to bureaucrats to willing bribe payers be brought to book and the game of sports be spared from getting a bad name, already sullied by the heavy and corrupt hand of politico-bureaucratic combine.
(Capt. Viriato Fernandes)
General Secretary