Panaji: Sports Minister Govind Gaude has said that the suspense around the launch of the Mascot of the National Games was required to evince the interest of the common people in these sporting events.
The mascot for the upcoming National Games scheduled to be held in October-November, 2023 in Goa was launched on June 19 in the presence of Indian Olympics Association President P T Usha and Boxing champion Mary Kom in Panaji.
State Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also present for the ceremony, which saw the Mascot named “Moga” which means love in Konkani being launched.
Gaude said that the National Games organizers had created an entire campaign ahead of the launch wherein leaders including CM Sawant had tweeted “Where is Moga”.
“We had also put up hoardings along the national highway with a single sentence Where is Moga? The campaign created much-needed interest,” Gaude said.
The minister said that the campaign was required to create much-needed interest in this sporting event.
“National Games are not just an event for the athletes but it is a celebration for the youth and parents in the state. We want more youth to take up sports after this event,” he said.
Gaude said that the infrastructure required to host the National Games is ready. They will be held at 28 different locations across the state, he added.
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