Goa Lusofonia Games in doubt due to shoddy preparedness

The third edition of the Lusofonia Games in Goa, scheduled to begin in November 2, could well be put off due to the state government's failure to complete projects related to the event on time.
The missed deadlines and shoddy state of preparedness have left the infrastructure in complete mess for the international multi-sport event.
It has been learnt that the Association of the Portuguese Speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) president Alex Vong and the designated chef-de-missions of the participating countries would be arriving in Panaji on September 15 to inspect the venues besides taking a call on the Games' future in a meeting with the Lusofonia Games Organising Committee (LUGOC).

The BJP-led Goa government has been battling hard to make the city ready for the Games. All infrastructure for the Games must be ready by October 1, a month before the kick-off.
The LUGOC is also dealing with lack of interest on part of the participating nations while there are suggestions to conduct the Games next year in January or February.
Despite winning the bid to host the third edition way back in 2009, precious little has been done to improve the current state of sports infrastructure in the state.

It has to be noted that most of the work is being supervised by bureaucrats and officials who do not have expertise or technical knowledge to conduct the Games.

"No safety measures in stadiums are put in place as the work is still going on. Not a single stadium has a doping laboratory. The volleyball and basketball courts are also not ready," said an official.
"The work at athletic stadiums in Bambolim and Mapusa and Nehru Stadium in Fatorda is undergoing renovation while the Indoor stadium at Taleigao too has missed deadline. The screening of volunteers has not taken place as yet," the official added.