Guwahati: After all the suspense and drama, the attention will shift to action on the field when curtains on the 33rd National Games goes up on Friday.
The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which had earlier given a boycott call against the Games and threatened to disrupt it, relented just a few days before the start after an appeal from eminent sportspersons from the state, much to the relief of everyone concerned.
"We are relieved that ULFA has withdrawn the boycott call on the appeal of eminent sportspersons. Sports can usher in peace in Assam," Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi has said.
The stage is now set for the Games to be inaugurated by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at a colourful opening ceremony at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati.
Contingents from several participating states – including those of Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and the northeastern states – have already arrived at the Games village and several more are expected over the next 24 hours.
The final leg of the torch relay took place on Wednesday which took the flame from Dispur Last Gate to the main Games venue, Sarusajai Sports Complex. The Games torch will be lit by Arjuna awardee Bhogeshwar Barua marking the opening of the Games.
Despite the withdrawal of the boycott call by ULFA, the security forces have not let their guard down and are not taking any chances.
There is a sizeable police presence in the city and stringent checks on vehicles with drivers having to furnish relevant documents on demand as authorities take all possible measures to prevent any untoward incident.
The weather may play spoilsport on the big day, too. It has been raining for the last four days which can hamper the opening ceremony. Reherseals and other works at the main venue were affected as a result.
The Games are significant also for the fact that it has prompted creation of diverse sporting infrastructure in and around the city. A total of 32 disciplines form part of the mega event which will be on display at 17 different venues.
The development has not gone unnoticed by the locals either.
"Several new stadia have come up in different parts of the city for the Games. They are also equipped with floodlights for sports to be played in the evenings. The security situation has also improved in the last few days," a Guwahati resident said.
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But the mega event will be devoid of much of its sheen as several of the country's top sportspersons have decided to give it a miss. These include several track and field competitors and shooters.
India's best men's hockey players are busy with the premier league in Chennai while the youth football teams of both sexes have Olympic qualifiers.
Some of the others will be on show in the Super Soccer matches against the Sao Paulo club from Brazil.
With the Doha Asian Games finishing less than two months ago, questions might be raised about the timing of the National Games. Elite athletes find it difficult to raise their performance to the optimum so soon again.
"It is too early in the season for a major event," long jump queen Anju Bobby George, who will not be a part of the Games, has gone on record as saying.
But may be the authorities went ahead thinking that any postponement would be embarrassing in the face of the militant threat.
The organisers have brought the players and infrastructure of the Games under an insurance cover worth Rs 2,079 crore. National Insurance Company has said Rs 45 lakh has been received as one-time premium.
However, the Games programme has not yet been fully finalised and kho-kho is likely to be cancelled while the venue for kabaddi has been changed. There is also some confusion regarding the venue for women's football.
The national media, assembled here from various parts of the country, is also having a tough time as they struggle with accreditation with just a day to go for the inauguration.
Some of them had to face the authorities' ire for putting out stories which went contrary to official claims.
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