By Our Reporter
Shillong: Athletes passing by with their equipment, officials and workers hurrying along, volunteers being briefed and re-briefed, these are scenes straight out from the JN Sports Complex in Polo which has been a hub of activities for the past month or so in preparation for the 12th South Asian Games.
With only a day to go for the mega event, SAG CEO (Shillong), RK Sharma, while speaking to a section of the media on Wednesday said that the city is “Games ready”, with “all venues in fine shape.”
Around 200 athletes and officials he said were slated to arrive by the end of Wednesday, with similar numbers expected to arrive in the next two days.
The South Asian Games will officially start on Friday.
The CEO also touched on other aspects of the Games, such as security, accommodation and medical facilities.
Although there is tight security in and around all the venues here, he said that “security always remains a concern,” in an event like this and the authorities have to stay alert throughout.
“Players’ and officials’ accommodation has already been booked and elaborate transport arrangements have been made for them. Medical facilities are also geared up as and when needed,” Sharma said.
The CEO also underlined the importance of the nearly 750 volunteers for the success of the Games.
“In any sports event volunteers play a vital role. They are the bridge between society, the organisers and players. Whatever memories the players will have (of the Games) will come through interaction with the volunteers,” Sharma said.
City lights, roads get facelift
Meanwhile, the city is getting a facelift with roads and defunct lights getting repaired by all the concerned departments besides walls are also being painted in different areas in view of the Games.
It is seen that PWD is repairing roads though only patches on a war footing before the games begin.
In addition, it is also seen that the fountain lights at Khyndailad was being repaired though most of the bulbs in the tower remained non functional for years.
Meanwhile, the participating athletes have started arriving in Shillong from different parts of the country amidst tight security.