Fourteen years ago, Pune hosted the third edition of the National Games, where mascot Raju had then star-performer Shiamak Davar regaling the packed house with his moves and verve.

Jigrr — the current mascot, also a tiger, is goofier than Raju — and all dapper with his white, grinning beard and blue cap tipped back like Lleyton Hewitt. He should start wondering about the future of the athletes he’ll lead out at the opening ceremony on Sunday. They joke here is that the only career which took off after those National Games in 1994 was dancer Shiamak Davar’s.

The 2008 edition sees the presence of some of India’s biggest names in sport — shuttler Saina Nehwal and swimmer, flagbearer, Veerdhawal Khade, who in Phelpsian style has vowed to go for five gold medals.

Future stars

There are also future stars like Yuki Bhambri in tennis, and the next generation of shooters and boxers.

The Army Sports Institute, after a listless 2008 Olympics, will test out their new batch of pugilists — with the Beijing medal-inspiration, as fresh-minted as the coats of turpentine paint, making its way onto buildings and even mountains. Yes, one hillock is actually being splashed with paint here, as part of finishing touches to the event.

Opinion stands divided over the preparedness of the venues. Competition-ready on most accounts, the external beautification remains, though a general sense of chaos prevails owing to security. Sandwiched between the song and dance of the opening and closing ceremonies — essential frivolities — are five days of competition, and a chance for the city’s residents to choose India’s sporting heroes of the coming decade, test their prowess, separate the wheat from the chaff; seeing it all for themselves. Pune is well-suited for the job too — a natural launchpad for athletes looking for a take-off, even as Raju goes trendy and becomes Jigrr.