Goa is gearing up to host the largest-ever National Games, featuring a remarkable lineup of 43 different sporting disciplines. This historic event will mark a significant milestone for the state, as the previous National Games in Gujarat featured 36 disciplines, and Kerala's 2015 edition included 33. The 37th National Games will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 26, 2023, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
The National Games, a multisport event that follows the Olympic-style format, will witness participation from 28 Indian states and 8 union territories. The games are scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 9, 2023, and will be spread across various venues throughout the state of Goa. Notably, cycling and golf events will be held in Delhi, adding to the grandeur of the competition. With over 10,000 athletes expected to participate, nearly half of them, or 49 per cent, are women, highlighting the growing inclusivity of the event.
The 37th National Games will also mark the introduction of several new sports disciplines onto the medal stage, including beach football, roll ball, golf, sepaktakraw, sqay martial arts, kalliyarapattu, and pencak silat. Additionally, yachting and taekwondo are making a comeback to the Games after their exclusion in the previous edition. To celebrate tradition and cultural diversity, the sports of lagori and gatka have been included as demonstration sports, adding a unique dimension to the event.
The sporting events will be held at various locations across Goa, including Margao, Mapusa, Panjim, Ponda, and Vasco. Here is the schedule for each of these venues:
Here is the schedule for the 37th National Games in Goa:
DELHI:
- Cycling (Track Race): Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, New Delhi: November 2, 2023 - November 5, 2023.
- Golf: Delhi Golf Club: November 5, 2023 - November 9, 2023.
MAPUSA:
- Gymnastics: Peddem Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: October 23, 2023 - October 28, 2023.
- Billiards & Snookers: Badminton Hall, Peddem Sports Complex: October 27, 2023 - October 30, 2023.
- Rowing: Chapora River: October 28, 2023 - November 1, 2023.
- Canoeing & Kayaking: Chapora River: November 3, 2023 - November 6, 2023.
- Hockey: Hockey Ground, Peddem Sports Complex: October 30, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Boxing: Peddem Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: November 1, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Shooting: Yash Shooting Academy: November 2, 2023 - November 9, 2023.
MARGAO:
- Basketball: Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim: October 23, 2023 - October 28, 2023.
- Football (Men): PJN Stadium, Fatorda: October 30, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Rollball: Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim: October 30, 2023 - November 2, 2023.
- Sepak Takraw: Fatorda Multi-Purpose Hall: October 30, 2023 - November 3, 2023.
- Lawn Tennis: Multi-Purpose Ground, Fatorda: October 30, 2023 - November 5, 2023.
- Beach Football: Colva Beach: October 28, 2023 - November 1, 2023.
- Handball: Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim: November 4, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Sqay Martial Arts: Fatorda Multi-Purpose Hall: November 6, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
PANJIM:
- Badminton: S.P.M Stadium, Goa University: October 19, 2023 - October 24, 2023.
- Netball: Cambal Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: October 22, 2023 - October 27, 2023.
- Weightlifting: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): October 25, 2023 - October 29, 2023.
- Pencak Silat: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): October 26, 2023 - October 29, 2023.
- Mallakhamb: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): October 26, 2023 - October 28, 2023.
- Fencing: S.P.M Stadium, Goa University: October 26, 2023 - October 30, 2023.
- Rugby: Athletics Stadium, Bambolim: October 25, 2023 - October 27, 2023.
- Beach Handball: Miramar Beach, Varca Beach: October 28, 2023 - November 1, 2023.
- Beach Volleyball: Miramar Beach, Varca Beach: November 4, 2023 - November 7, 2023.
- Kabaddi: Campal Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: November 4, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Wrestling: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): October 31, 2023 - November 3, 2023.
- Aquatics: Swimming Pool Campal: October 29, 2023 - November 4, 2023.
- Gatka: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): October 31, 2023 - November 2, 2023.
- Athletics: Athletics Stadium, Bambolim: October 29, 2023 - November 3, 2023.
- Wushu: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): November 1, 2023 - November 4, 2023.
- Rowing (Coastal/Tidal Sport): Hawai Beach, Dona Paula: November 3, 2023 - November 7, 2023.
- Volleyball: S.P.M Stadium, Goa University: November 1, 2023 - November 5, 2023.
- Triathlon: Caranzalem - Miramar Road: November 4, 2023 - November 7, 2023.
- Yachting: Hawaii Beach, Dona Paula: November 3, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Table Tennis: Campal Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: October 29, 2023 - November 2, 2023.
- Lagori: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): November 5, 2023 - November 6, 2023.
- Yogasana: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): November 5, 2023 - November 9, 2023.
- Judo: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): November 6, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Kalaripayattu: Campal Open Ground (Campal Sports Village): November 7, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
PONDA:
- Modern Pentathlon: Ponda Swimming Pool - Indoor - Ground: October 26, 2023 - October 29, 2023.
- Archery: Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi - Ponda: October 27, 2023 - November 4, 2023.
- Taekwondo: Ponda Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: October 31, 2023 - November 3, 2023.
- Kho-Kho: Ponda Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium: November 4, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
VASCO:
- Football (Women): Tilak Maidan Football Ground: October 27, 2023 - November 5, 2023.
- Lawn Bowls: Chicalim Multi-Purpose Ground: November 1, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Squash: Chicalim Squash Facility: November 1, 2023 - November 5, 2023.
- Cycling (Road Race): Verna - Birla Bypass Airport Road: November 8, 2023 - November 9, 2023.
This extensive schedule promises an exciting and diverse array of sporting events, showcasing the talent and dedication of athletes from across the country.