Preparations for 10th National Games in Karnali moving slowly

By Navin Subedi,Chhinchu, Mar. 2: Karnali Province is hosting the 10th National Games which kicks off on November 17. The eight-day tournament will feature over 30 sporting events. 

However, with around only eight months remaining, construction of the necessary infrastructure for the competition is moving at a snail’s pace.

According to officials, only the construction of the provincial stadium in Birendranagar, Surkhet, is moving at the desired pace.

“The provincial stadium can host a maximum of 15 sports, but the schedule will be extremely packed. On the other hand, we can organise 18 sports competitions throughout the Karnali Province. Since we need more places to organise the remaining sports, infrastructure is also being prepared outside Surkhet,” said Bishwomitra Sanjyal, member secretary at the Karnali Sports Development Council.

The then Chief Minister Jeevan Bahadur Shahi laid the foundation stone for the provincial stadium in Surkhet on December 6, 2021. Now, the stadium’s physical progress stands at 77 per cent.

MAC-GSL JV, the company awarded for the stadium’s construction, informed that they plan to complete the stadium with a capacity to hold 10,000 attendees by May 24, 2024.

“Nevertheless, infrastructures outside Birendranagar are either moving at a snail’s pace or not started at all. Lands are still being searched for some proposed infrastructure,” Sanjyal added.

Karnali received permission to host the 10th National Games last year after the conclusion of the 9th National Games in Pokhara. 

The province has since then started the process to conduct the competition successfully.

Some province officials also argued that the federal-level National Sports Council was the major authority responsible for the competition, but it had only been exerting pressure on the provincial council to complete the preparations in time without extending needed help.

The provincial council also plans to construct covered halls in Kalikot and Jajarkot districts. “We have sent a proposal to the Finance Ministry for the two covered halls as they need to be completed soon for the national games,” said Sanjyal.

The council is also repairing covered halls in Dailekh and Rukum West districts through the consumers’ committee.

A hockey ground is being constructed in Humla at a cost of Rs. 16.2 million. A parapet for the volleyball ground in Jumla is also under construction for which Rs. 4.8 million has been allocated.

A cricket ground is under construction in Kalinchowk of Birendranagar, Surkhet, and it is expected to be completed by mid-March. 

The tender process for another cricket stadium near the Provincial Stadium is underway.

While some infrastructures are expected to be completed in time, delays of only a few will lead to several problems with the date for the 10th National Games coming closer.

“We have tried to conduct different sports in different corners of the province to promote our local tourism. 

However, it is up to the National Sports Council to decide where the respective game will be held,” said Sanjyal.