Date:08/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110856102000.htm

Sport - Sports : General

IOA MoU with Kerala

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kerala Government for the conduct of the National Games in the State in 2010.

The IOA President, Suresh Kalmadi, and the Kerala Sports Minister, Vijay Kumar, signed the MoU.

As per the agreement, Kerala would raise infrastructure by March 2010 at Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode for conducting the Games later that year. Kerala had last hosted the Games in 1987.

“This opportunity of hosting the Games will give an opportunity for Kerala to come up on the national scene in a big way once again,” said Mr. Kalmadi.

Mr. Vijay Kumar said, “Kerala has been a front-runner in churning out many athletes on the national and international scene and we want to continue that tradition. The National Games in 2010 will provide that opportunity and we want to cash in on the chance.”

Ice-skating had been included in the sports programme of the National Games and Kerala would host it for the first time, Mr. Kalmadi said.

Two traditional disciplines of Kerala, ‘kalaripayattu’ (martial art) and boat racing would be held as demonstration sports during the Games.

The Kerala Government had set aside Rs. 100 crore for the Games project, including that for the development of infrastructure, said Director of Sports, V. Kishore.

Jharkhand is scheduled to host the 2009 Games, while Goa has been chosen as the host for the 2011 Games. There are reports that Jharkhand had already sought a postponement.