35th National Games in Kerala from Jan 31-Feb 14

The 35th edition of the National Games will be held in Kerala from January 31 to February 14 next year in various venues across seven districts.
Starting the countdown, dates of the biggest national sporting event were announced by Indian Olympic Association president N Ramachandran in the presence of Union Minister of state for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal at a colourful function in the Assembly complex here today.
After the declaration, Sonowal proclaimed acceptance of the dates on behalf of the Government of India.
Pledging all support to the event, Sonowal said National Games was a significant event for inculcating the sense of oneness, unity and brotherhood among people from all states.

Referring to controversies that surrounded the conduct of Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the minister said he hoped that the forthcoming event would be held without running into any row.
Stating that Kerala considered it as a great honour to host the event with the support of the sporting organisations, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it would be turned into a popular event with all people having some role in it as participants, viewers, organisers and volunteers.

Marxist stalwart and Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan launched the social media campaign of the event.
The venues of important disciplines of the event were declared at the function including the stadia for athletics in the state capital.

Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan, Sports Minister Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, ministers and leaders of various political parties attended the function.