Panaji: The National Games 2023 began in Goa with Badminton tournament event kick starting at late Manohar Parrikar stadium near here.
Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant in presence of State sports minister Govind Gaude, BJP MLA Daji Krishna Salkar inaugurated the games at the stadium.
All the guests including Sawant played an exhibition match at the venue ahead of the formal launch of the national event. “I would appeal all the youth to play games in the field, not in your mobile phones,” Sawant said talking to reporters after the inaugural.
He said that Goans have been waiting for this day for last 10 years. “Finally, Goa is hosting the national games. All the infrastructure required for the games is ready,” Sawant said.
The chief minister said that the students have come in large number to see the inaugural match. “We are expecting all the stadiums to be full packed for all the matches during the entire period of National Games,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be formally opening the National Games on October 26 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in South Goa.
More than 10,000 Athletes would be participating in the games which would be held in 43 different disciplines.
