RANCHI, Feb 11 (PTI): After six postponements and a chaotic build-up, the 34th National Games begin here tomorrow, with more than 8,000 athletes, including a host of Commonwealth and Asian Games medallists, vying for top honours.
Jharkhand Olympic Association, which had faced several roadblocks in the run-up to country�s biggest multi-sporting event, is relieved that the Games will finally begin at the sprawling 325-acre Khel Gaon (Mega Sports Complex) in Hotwar, in the outskirts of the city.
That it took four years after Guwahati hosted the last edition � in February 2007 � tells a different side of the story, but now that the Games begin, sporting competition is expected to take the centrestage in the next fortnight till February 27.
�Seven state governments have come and gone but despite that we have built up such a world class infrastructure. We are ready,� Jharkhand Olympic Association supremo R K Anand said.
Located five kilometers from the city, the Khel Gaon will play host to 19 of the 23 events that will be held in Ranchi while also housing 1200 flats to accommodate the large number of athletes and officials.
Dhanbad and Jamshedpur are the two other centers which will host the multi-discipline competition that will see about 11,000 participants, including around 8,500 athletes vying for top honours in 33 events.
