Ahmedabad:Arrangements are in full swing in six cities of Gujarat as the State is hosting the 36th National Games for the first time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate National Games 2022 at a gala event to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on September 29 in Ahmedabad. Over 34 games will be played from September 29 to October 12 in six cities--Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara--the opening ceremony will be attended by Bollywood stars and famous players.
A total of 7,000 players from different states of the country will participate. The National Games, being held after seven years due to Covid-19, are expected to break new records and achieve new milestones in many sports. Preparations have been going on in Gujarat for the past two months and all the sports grounds have been cleaned and painted.
On July 8, 2022, it was officially announced that Gujarat will be the host, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed happiness and thanked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). In the National Games, 34 sports like athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, judo, kho-kho, wrestling and malkham will be played in indoor and outdoor stadiums.
Also read:Telangana paddler Sreeja showcases her dancing skills at National Games
Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi said that they will leave no stone unturned in the planning and success of the 36th National Games 2022. "Gujarat is now moving forward to become a sports hub. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started 'Khel Mahakumbh' in Gujarat in 2010. With its success, a sports culture has emerged in Gujarat today. A whole ecosystem has been created. Following the success of Gujarat's Khel Mahakumbh, national and international players like Sarita Gaekwad, Mana Patel, Harmeet Desai and Murali Gavit have emerged", the Minister said.