Goa, India, February 2, 2020: The official mascot for the 36th National Games of India was unveiled by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant last Friday, January 31.
Rubigula, the flame-throated bulbul, which is also the state bird of Goa, was ceremonially declared the mascot. The name was chosen after sports enthusiasts from across India were invited to submit their suggestions through a social media contest.
Rijiju said: “It has been an issue for all of us that India has not been able to have regular National Games, which is actually important for any nation, because the National Games are conducted under the aegis of the Indian Olympic Association, which follows the charter of the International Olympic Committee.”
The Games were originally scheduled to be held in Goa in November 2016. The Games are now expected to begin on October 20 and conclude on November 4. More than 12,000 participants from all states and Union Territories will vie for top honours in 37 different disciplines.
“We are coming back to having the National Games at regular intervals. It was not a good thing to have long breaks,” Rijiju added.
