The Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) and organising committee of the 3rd Khelo India Youth Games 2020 here on Sunday set a deadline of December 31 for completion of all infrastructure repair and improvement work so that arrangements could be carried out on time for smooth technical conduct of the mega event.

Addressing a GTCC meeting here, organising committee chief executive officer Avinash Joshi directed the state public works department and the event management companies concerned to complete all civil repairs and other work before December 31.

Joshi had earlier set a December 25 deadline, which could not be met, because of a weeklong unrest in the city following the enactment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

The 20-discipline competition will be held from January 10 to 22. Joshi, who is also the principal secretary of Assam sports and youth welfare department, said more workforce could be engaged extra time to complete the remaining work on time.

“We are planning to finish all our preparations for the Khelo India Youth Games by December 31. We are hoping for all the infrastructure to be ready before the New Year. If needed, we can divide the remaining work among seven-eight groups and ensure that all the preparations are carried out simultaneously,” said Joshi.

The PWD also lifted the uncertainty cloud off the infrastructure development in the new discipline lawn bowls saying that the green, which has been on transit from Scotland, will reach here on December 24 and it would be laid from December 27 within a span of five days. Lawn bowls is considered to be a discipline, which will table most medals for Assam.

The officials discussed the tentative start and finish timings within which various sports will be hosted during the course of the day in the Games.

In order to increase participation in the tournament, the organisers have decided that an athlete can take part in only one of the age categories — under-17 or under-21.

“All of us have come here to work out all the details. We have divided ourselves into teams and will focus on the venues in a dedicated manner in order to ensure that the Games are held brilliantly,” said GTCC chairperson Radhica Sreeman.

Around 6,800 athletes are expected to participate in the Games.