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The country’s biggest sporting event – the National Games – is round the corner. As the top athletes brace theselves for the nation’s most happening sports meet, Kerala prepares itself for a fortnight of excellence, determination and dedication. Just another week and India will witness the most entralling sporting extravaganza of the country – the 2015 National Games! Here are some of the lesser known facts about the Games:
#1 Our very own Olympic movement
The genesis of the National Games began in the Olympic movement in the 1920s. Initially known as the ‘Indian Olympic Games’, these games were aimed at promoting Olympic sports in the Indian subcontinent. The first Indian Olympic Games were held in an undivided in India in Lahore in the year 1924. These Games are held every two years in every major city of the country ever since.
#2 The founder of the Games
The founder of the Indian Olympic Games was G.D. Sondhi, the first Secretary of the Punjab Olympic Association. Lt.Col H.L.O. Garrett, vice principal of Government College, Lahore, was the President of the founding body. Since then, National Games have helped in developing world-class infrastructure in various states of the country and has also improved in bettering the sports culture of the country.
#3 Lucknow became the first host in Independent India
The city of Lucknow hosted the National Games after India gained Independence. This was the 13thedition of National Games and was the first for a post-independent India.
#4 More than ten thousand particpants
The modern National Games that we see in it’s current format began in 1985 when Delhi hosted the country’s largest sporting event. Since then it has seen a footfall of more than 10,000 athletes from across the country participating in close to 400 various events and categories in all sports.
#5 The Services highlight the Games
Not just states but a lot of organisations like the Indian Railways and the Services participate in the National Games and so far the Services team has always been on the top with winning close to 140 medals in the past three National Games.
