"It was a well-planned effort in which participants started from four points in the city with a VIP leading the run at each point. Thousands of runners converged at Birsa stadium, where the host city contract was signed. The run was telecast live," he added.

Hundreds of banners, posters and stickers on the Games were made and distributed among the crowd in the districts to spread awareness.

"But the idea to spread awareness remains unfulfilled. Authorities know little about the stickers and posters. They seem to have disappeared. Only a handful can be seen on motorcycles and SUVs used by some of the senior office-bearers of the sports associations," said another sports official.

The office-bearers of the National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) have now started to understand that they need to launch an awareness programme before it is too late.

However, they are not sure if starting the publicity drive will be wise now, as has already set in. "We will launch the programme once the monsoon wanes," said M.K. Pathak, a senior NGOC functionary.

NGOC secretary (I) S.M. Hashmi said they would revive the publicity drive to make everyone aware of the Games."We will fix a date to launch the awareness campaign after consulting with officials of the Indian Olympic Association," he added.