Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the state government was hosting the upcoming Lusofonia Games only to honour the "sovereign commitment" given by the erstwhile Congress government and is not enthusiastic about the event.
Lusofonia Games is a multi-national multi-sport event organised by 'the Association of the Portuguese-speaking Olympic Committees, which involves athletes coming from Portuguese-speaking countries and also others where there are significant Portuguese communities or that have a common past with Portugal.
The 3rd edition of the Lusofonia games will be held in Goa between 2nd-10th Nov, 2013.
"Given a choice, I would not have hosted Lusofonia games in the state but we are doing it because the former Congress-led government had given an assurance to host them in Goa," Parrikar told reporters.
"Governments cannot just renege on their sovereign commitments," Parrikar said referring to the undertaking on holding the event.
Goa is also organising the National Games next year.
"We will be able to complete 75-80 per cent of infrastructure for the National Games from the facilities that are being constructed for Lusofonia games," he said.
The central government has sanctioned Rs 285 crore for setting up infrastructure for Lusofonia games, of which Rs 15-20 crore would be spent on the inaugural and closing ceremonies, the chief minister said.
He said facilities are being created at 15-20 places across the state.
