10th National Games: A launchpad for Karnali’s overdue development

By Nayak Paudel/Navin Subedi, Kathmandu/Surkhet, July 21: Centuries ago (8th to 13th), the Karnali region was powerful and influential. Not so anymore; ‘Karnali’ is now a synonym for ‘remote Nepal’.

Karnali and its people have been trying to be on an equal footing with Nepalis in other parts of the country but to no avail.  Against this backdrop, Karnali has found a new chance for change: the 10th National Games. Moreover, Karnali is also hosting the 1st National Para Games. 

The first edition of the National Games was organised during the reign of King Birendra in 1982 among the athletes of 14 zones.  These National Games should be held in a gap of two years, but only nine editions have been organised until 2022.

In the past nine editions, the national competition has been hosted twice each by Kathmandu (1982 and 2009), Pokhara (1984 and 2022) and Nepalgunj (1999 and 2019), and once each by Birgunj (1986), Dhangadhi/Mahendranagar (2012) and Biratnagar (2016). It is the first time that the National Games are being hosted in Karnali.

Karnali government is planning to involve the entire province in the event. Infrastructures are being prepared in eight of the 10 districts of the province. “Dolpa and Salyan districts are difficult to reach due to poor transportation system. We would have involved them otherwise,” said Biswamitra Sanjyal, member-secretary at the Karnali Sports Development Council (KSDC).

Since the foundation stone was laid for the construction of Karnali Stadium on December 6, 2021, the Karnali government has invested over Rs. 2 billion in sports infrastructure; all focused on the 10th National Games.

A year after the construction of Karnali Stadium started, Karnali, during the 9th National Games in Pokhara, was announced as the host of the 10th National Games. 

“The 10th National Games offer a platform for Karnali to leap towards development. It should and will be utilised to the utmost with the coordination between government, public and private stakeholders,” said Sanjyal.

‘Let’s make the most of the opportunity’

As the number of sports events for the 10th National Games and 1st National Para Games has not been finalised yet, the actual number of athletes and officials who will reach Karnali cannot be ascertained.

According to the National Sports Council, 6,157 athletes from 11 teams competed in 36 sports during the 9th National Games. 

“When thousands of people come to Karnali, it will make the economy vibrant. . Every sector will benefit when the number of consumers climbs . We are all set to welcome the guests of the 10th National Games,” said Laxman Kandel, President of Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As per the stakeholders, Karnali will also use the national games to showcase and promote the province’s culture and tourism. 

Meanwhile, Surkhet and its headquarters, Birendranagar, might fall behind in accommodating a large number of visitors for the event. The roads to other districts are not comfortable to attract domestic tourists as well.

“Karnali does not have enough infrastructure as other provinces. We lag behind. However, we have been trying to change it. The 10th National Games is a golden chance to bring a revolution in the development of Karnali.  And we do not want to miss this chance,” said Kandel.

“The private sector has always promoted sports. However, without sufficient give-and-take coordination between the private and government sectors, sports cannot benefit the respective region and its sectors,” said Amrit Bhattachan, President of FNCCI, Gandaki.

The national games have been failing to attract visitors from outside the region of the tournament. Except for athletes and officials, the city of Pokhara also failed to witness a decent number of general audiences arriving for the country’s main sporting event.

“We are not so optimistic that the 10th National Games alone will usher Karnali on the track of transformation. The event has given Karnali a quality multi-purpose stadium. If sports activities keep increasing after the national games as well, Karnali will have one sector supporting its economy and development regularly,” said Kandel.

“Provincial and local level officials are coordinating to find the best ways of promoting the event. We are also in regular communication with the private sector. The government is trying to make everyone take ownership of the event,” Sanjyal informed.

The 10th National Games should start in mid-November. Nevertheless, the National Sports Council (NSC) is yet to decide the number of games to be played in the national tournament, including special/para games. The delay has disallowed Karnali to plan the organising structure of the 10th National Games.

“The delay will compel us to make preparations for the 10th National Games, an event of pride for Karnali, in a haphazard manner. It will not help us host the event in the best possible manner,” Sanjyal stressed.