Uttarakhand bids for 2018 National Games

NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand has expressed its desire to host the 38th National Games in 2018 and the Indian Olympic Association will take a decision on the matter in its General Body Meeting next month.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed the interest to host the 38th National Games in a letter to IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta last month.

"It is requested to you that the responsibility of hosting the 38th National Games be given to Uttarakhand state and arrange a visit to the state by a team of experts to evaluate the existing sports infrastructure and suggest additional facilities so that the infrastructure can be developed as per the required standards of National Games," Rawat said in the letter dated October 30.

Mehta said that a decision on the hosting right of the National Games will be taken at the GBM of the IOA, which will be held next month as three years' time is normally given to a host state.

"We have responded to the letter of the Chief Minister and have asked to complete the required formalities. We have asked them to furnish the Cabinet approval and bank guarantee of Rs two and a half crore so that we can take a decision," Mehta, also president of Uttarakhand Olympic Association, told PTI.

"We will take a decision on 2018 National Games host state in the IOA GBM next month. A three years time is required for the host state to prepare for the National Games," he added.