Panaji, Oct 25, (IANS): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that the main inauguration event for the 37th National Games is directly not open for public, however, invitation cards have been made available to the MLAs so that they can easily reach the people.

Addressing a press conference in Mantralaya, Sawant said that all the arrangements are being made for the inaugural programme.

The 37th National Games will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6.30 p.m on October 26 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, South Goa.

Sawant said the inaugural programme will be full of performances by singers and other performers.

“The main programme is directly not open for public. They will get entry only by producing invitation cards. Anyone can get it… they are free. We have given invitation cards to the MLAs, Zilla Panchayat members and Sarpanchs. But if anyone is interested, they can contact our sports department.We have handed invitations to the MLAs and people can collect the same from them,” Sawant said.

“Goan athletes and sports lovers should not be deprived to witness the event…They should all come to attend it,” he said.

Sawant also said that noted singers Hema Sardesai and Sukhwinder Singh will perform on the occasion.

“Besides this, around 600 artistes will perform a national integration programme in the stadium,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur will also be present on the occasion.

Around 43 sporting disciplines, including five indigenous sports – Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Lagori and Yoga -- will be showcased during the National Games.

The event will be held across 28 venues in Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Colva, Vasco and Ponda, and witness the participation of around 10,806 athletes, 49 per cent of them being women.