National Games' 30-day countdown to be launched Thursday

Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 30 sporting legends of Kerala will launch the 30-day countdown of the 35th National Games to be held here by lighting a lamp, Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said Wednesday.

The Games will be held in 30 venues across seven districts of the State Jan 31-Feb 14.

As many as 11,000 athletes and 2,500 technical officials will take part in the event. Sports minister Radhakrishnan told reporters here the programme will see Chief Minister Oommen Chandy unveil the official medals that will be given to the winners in the various events.

"Each medal will weight 200 grams and has been minted at the India Government Mint at Mumbai. Also unveiled would be the official uniform of the officials and the volunteers," said Radhakrishnan.

"All the stadiums are getting ready and during the course of this month, all of them would be officially inaugurated. The sporting equipments to be used during the event is all on their way. Everything is falling into place," said the Minister.

The goodwill ambassador of the event Sachin Tendulkar will take part in the Run Kerala Run event that will be held across 7000 locations in the State Jan 20, when each group will run around 200 to 800 metres and through this the event will be highlighted across the length and breadth of Kerala.

A four hour cultural programme will mark the inauguration and it will be supervised by a committee led by ace director Priyadarshan Nair.

"The new music band promoted by film actor Mohanlal (Nair) would be staging a musical display," said Radhakrishnan.

The event is estimated to cost the organisers around Rs. 611 crore, including Rs 456.5 crore for infrastructure.