Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the highly-anticipated 37th National Games in Goa today. The grand opening will take place at the illustrious Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, South Goa. Joining this momentous occasion will be Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, alongside dignitaries such as Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports; Govind Gaude, Goa's Sports Minister; and Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Tourism.
This edition of the National Games marks a historic first for Goa, with athletes from 28 states converging to compete across a staggering 43 diverse sporting disciplines. More than 10,000 athletes hailing from every corner of the nation will participate, with an impressive 49 percent of them being women.
Schedule: The 37th National Games of India is slated to unfold in Goa, with the extravaganza scheduled to run from October 26 through November 9.
Venues: This grand sporting spectacle will be dispersed across five vibrant Goan cities, including Mapusa, Margao, Panjim, Ponda, and Vasco. This marks a significant milestone as it's the first time that the National Games are gracing the picturesque landscapes of Goa. While most events will be held within the state, golf and cycling competitions are set to occur in the capital city, New Delhi.
Sports: The 37th National Games of India will witness the inclusion of several sports disciplines, some of which are making their medal debut. These newcomers to the National Games stage include beach football, roll ball, golf, sepak takraw, sqay martial arts, kalliya rapattu, and pencak silat. Notably, sports like Kho, yogasana, and mallakhamb are also marking their debut in the National Games.
This year's edition sees the triumphant return of taekwondo and yachting games, having been excluded from the previous edition. The event's organizers have even incorporated demonstration sports like lagori and gatka. A diverse array of sports, ranging from gymnastics, rowing, hockey, boxing, shooting, water polo, lawn tennis, snooker, handball, judo, table tennis, and more, will captivate sports enthusiasts.
Tickets: A noteworthy feature of these National Games is the absence of ticket requirements. Spectators can gain entry to the venues by presenting any government-issued and verified identification document.
Motto: The 37th National Games of India have embraced the spirited motto "Get Set Goa," a nod to the catchphrase used in the inaugural National Games of India back in 1924, which was "Get Set Play."
Streaming Details: For those unable to attend in person, the 37th National Games can be live-streamed on the Prasar Bharati YouTube channel. Additionally, DD Sports TV will broadcast the event on all days, ensuring that the action is accessible to a wide audience.
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