Junior Delphic Games comes knocking on Goa’s doors

PANAJI: The high-power monitoring committee (HPMC) for tourism development has agreed in-principle to be a partner for hosting the V Junior Delphic Games 2015 in Goa.
The HPCC, headed by chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, last week, granted an in-principle approval for a proposal received from the International Delphic Council (IDC) proposing that Goa be a host city to partner with IDC to conduct the V Junior Delphic Games, 2015.
Delphic Games is a competition of various arts, similar to Olympic Games and held a year before the Olympics. Since 1994, eight editions of the games have been held in two formats on a four-yearly basis. The Delphic Games promotes art and culture through six categories of expression such as music art, performing art, language art, visual art and social art. Over 100 countries are expected to
participate in these games with attendance of 10,000 people, states the
proposal.
Nilesh Cabral, GTDC chairman and member of HPCC, told TOI that the government has agreed on being a partner with IDC for conducting the V Junior Delphic Games in Goa.
Another HPCC member said organizers are keen to have
the games in Goa though Jaipur is also competing to be a partner. “Goa is much more an attractive venue than Jaipur and the government should not let go of this opportunity as it will further promote Goa as a tourist destination without big investment,” he pointed out.
He said the chief minister has sought to know exposure of the games, and other finer details of the project.
The games, spread over 14 days, comprises 100 events in six categories and over 21 disciplines, will
have over 7,000 people from over 100 countries participating in the event, HPCC members were told during the meeting.
Besides, 3,000 volunteers from universities across India and more than 20,000 local and pan-Indian audience are expected to attend the event, organizers claimed.
The event will accrue the host city media and commercial gains thanks to participation from over 100 countries, in addition to exposing its rich culture to a larger audience. The event is telecast over 100 countries.
A HPCC member, who was present for the meeting, said that the host city has to contribute financially, and the balance cost will be raised through participating countries and corporate brands.
“If the Goa government’s contribution comes to about 5 to 10 crore in addition to soft expenditure, it’s a great opportunity to promote Goa throughout the world at minimal expenditure. These gains will be bigger than participating in international road shows and trade fairs,” he added.