Fitness & Sports

Fitness & Sports

Fitness defines the ability to perform physical activity, and encompasses a wide range of abilities. Each sport and activity requires a specific set of skills, and so being fit for a particular sport requires a specific skill set. Being fit for one sport does not necessarily make you fit for another.

TOI: Delhi will host at least two sports disciplines during the 37th edition of the National Games later this year with Goa lacking the necessary infrastructure for cycling and golf.

The National Games are expected to be held in Goa from October 25 to November 9.
Goa had initially sought neighboring Maharashtra’s help to host cycling, golf and shooting. Sports minister Govind Gaude had led a delegation to the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune which has facilities for both shooting and cycling.

However, it was later discovered that the cycling velodrome needs refurbishment, prompting a switch to the Capital.

“Cycling and golf will be in Delhi, but we are yet to take a call on shooting,” Amitabh Sharma, chairman of the National Games’ technical conduct committee, told TOI on Thursday. “The velodrome in Pune needs refurbishment. It’s also not a modern velodrome. The one in Delhi is more modern and is ready for the Games. Since cycling was being moved to Delhi, we decided to shift the other disciplines too (golf) to the Capital. It does not make sense to also add Pune to the list and have multiple venues.”

When the National Games were scheduled to be held in 2020, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Delhi, was the proposed venue for the conduct of shooting. The option remains open, but after questions were raised in the state legislative assembly, the government is understood to be also looking at a proposal from M/s. Yash Shooting Academy, Mandrem.
Asked whether it’s odd to have some games being organized in another state during the National Games, the GTCC chairman said it was being done to avoid wasteful expenditure.

“It’s not odd because this is what happens even in normal and bigger formats like Asian Games or even Olympics. At the Paris Olympics, for example, many disciplines are being held about a 45-minute flight away from the city centre. It’s an infra-based requirement.
“The velodrome does not have a legacy for the state. When the National Games are over, Goa will be gifted with a lot of infrastructure which can be used by the people. The same cannot be said about the velodrome,” said Sharma.