National Games Of India 2023: Three Athletes Injured Before Opening Ceremony In Goa

A health official said on Thursday that two rugby players and a weightlifter were injured during sports events at the National Games in Goa. The  37th National Games of India will officially commence on October 26th with a grand opening ceremony at Fatorda's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (Full Coverage | Sports News)

Bharat Chauhan, a rugby player for the Maharashtra side, got injured on Wednesday and was transferred to the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) near Panaji, where he was operated on, told health official. 

According to the official, Goan rugby player Sohan Shirodkar was also hurt in an event and was brought to the GMCH on Wednesday night. Biswa Varghuse, a weightlifter from the Kerala squad, was taken to the GMCH on Tuesday after suffering an injury.

The GMCH has established a dedicated ward to meet the demands of the National Games 2023 being held in Goa.

Goa-born windsurfer Katya Ida Coelho will hand over the torch of the National Games 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the opening ceremony. Modi will remain present for the inaugural function at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in the state, revealed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday.

The five-hour-long function will feature performances by Goa-born Hema Sardesai and Sukhwinder Singh, among others, he said. Around 5,000 students would attend the ceremony.

There will be a march-past by all 28 participating teams and 600 performers will perform on the theme of national integration. Goa has been hosting international events like the International Film Festival of India. With the 37th edition, Goa is making its debut as the host of the National Games of India, with five cities - Mapusa, Margao, Panjim, Ponda, and Vasco (and Delhi for the cycling and gold events) - splitting host responsibilities.

"Sports ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Odisha too will be present at the inaugural event,” Sawant said. “We were waiting to organize the games since 2009... this is bigger than IFFI....10,000 athletes are participating in the event."

During the five-hour opening ceremony, 600 performers will amaze people within the arena before the formal handover of the torch. Over 10,000 athletes are expected to participate in 42 categories, making these the largest games in history.