National Games organisation a success: Thiruvanchoor

Thiruvananthapuram: The conduct of the ongoing 35th National Games has received wide acclaim from all quarters, Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said Thursday.

Addressing reporters here, Radhakrishnan said the way the event has been conducted was exemplary.

"Everyone who has taken part has fully enjoyed it and the facilities are all world class. The Games Village has come in for much appreciation from all those who have stayed there. I fully thank the organisers, especially Jacob Punnoose, CEO of the Games, who oversaw everything," Radhakrishnan said.

"Even the prime minister of our country has written to us on the way this has been conducted. We are honoured by his words of appreciation."

The minister added that they would ensure transparency was maintained even after the conclusion of the Games with the speedy publication of the audit of the event.

"We have decided to go for an audit to be conducted by the Local Fund Audit as this has been prescribed in the by-laws of the National Games. The routine audit too would take place. If anyone has played foul, he would be taken to task," he said.

The minister also said that all 365 housing units that were constructed at the Games Village for accommodation would be auctioned to recover part of the expenses incurred for the event.

"Every item that has been procured (sporting equipment not included) for the Games would be auctioned and the money would be credited to the Games account," he added.

A sum of Rs.611 crore was earmarked as expenditure for the conduct of the event.