New athletics tracks at Bambolim and Peddem

Panaji: The state government will replace the synthetic tracks at GMC Athletics Stadium in Bambolim and Peddem sports complex, ahead of the National Games later this year.
The synthetic tracks were laid at both the venues for the Lusofonia Games 2014.
According to sources, synthetic tracks normally have a lifespan of 15 years, but poor maintenance has led to degradation, prompting the government to step in and save the state embarrassment when top athletes come here for the National Games.
The tracks in Goa have lasted for less than 10 years.
“Officials from the federation inspected the venues and made it clear that these (tracks) were not good enough for the National Games,” a senior official told TOI. “The degradation has happened due to lack of maintenance at both the venues and the track (at Bambolim) poses risk to the athletes.”
Officials from the Goa Athletics Association (GAA) had complained about the quality of the track during the state championship last month. Several equipment had gone missing too.
“This track even has holes. It’s shocking,” one senior official said.
Those concerns now appear to have been addressed with the state government confirming that new tracks will be laid.
The government will have to float tenders and ensure that work starts at the earliest since monsoon can derail plans.
“Everything will be done at a faster pace. The tender will be out soon. The manufacturing and transportation of the track will take some time, but whoever bags the contract will have to complete the laying of the track before monsoon,” said another official.
The new athletics tracks are expected to be laid before May end.
Goa is gearing up to host the 37th edition of the National Games in October-November this year. The Games have been delayed for a long time due to Goa’s inability to complete the infrastructure needed to host the multi-discipline sporting event.
Last year, fed up with Goa’s excuses, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was forced to take away the 36th edition of the Games and hand it over to Gujarat, who hosted the event in just four months.