Delays dash hopes of 10th National Games

Kathmandu, Jan. 18: The 119th board meeting of the National Sports Council (NSC) on Thursday decided on the logo and mascot for the 10th National Games, being hosted by Karnali Province. 

Karnali was chosen as the host for the 10th edition of the national games two years ago when Gandaki Province hosted the 9th edition, and the event was fixed for November 17-24, 2024. 

But it was rescheduled for April 2025 by the 118th board meeting on December 6, 2024, citing incomplete physical infrastructure and preparations. 

“The event could not be organised in the prior schedule as Karnali was not fully prepared. We are now moving forward to organise the 10th National Games in April,” Teju Lal Chaudhary, Minister for Youth and Sports, told The Rising Nepal.

However, with less than three months left, participating teams are still uncertain of the event on the rescheduled date of April 5 to 12.

According to coaches and players for Karnali, the hosts, they are uncertain whether the 10th edition will take place in the adjusted time as well.

“We had taken our players to Kathmandu for a closed camp that lasted more than a month targeting the event in November 2024. But it was cancelled. Now, the players have scattered and we cannot call them back unless the 10th edition is guaranteed for upcoming April,” said Ramesh Tuladhar, Karnali’s wushu coach. Karnali had kept around 400 athletes in the closed camp.

Furthermore, the Karnali Sports Development Council, the authority overseeing preparation to host the 10th National Games, has been suffering for a month after the term of member-secretary Biswamitra Sanjyal expired. 

Another major reason for the uncertainty of the National Games is the board examinations of Grades 10, 11 and 12 in April.  

“I have my examinations in April, and so do many other athletes aiming to represent Karnali in the 10th National Games. It would not have been an issue had the tournament been organised in November 2024. Even now, it is unsure in April. We are confused if we should focus on our academic grades or sports medals,” said Bimal Jung Malla, a wushu practitioner of Karnali Province.

Likewise, Karnali’s neighbour, Sudurpashchim Province also shared insecurities over the 10th National Games’ schedule and raised concerns over the future of athletes.

“The conflict between the NSC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports has affected emerging athletes. We are probably the only province to have completed the district selections. We have a board meeting on January 22 to decide on provincial selection. Yet, the board is in dilemma regarding whether to believe in the new date or not,” said Dipak Bahadur Singh, member-secretary at Sudurpashchim Province Sports Council.

Sudurpashchim has several student-athletes due to which they are likely to suffer if the 10th National Games is organised in April.

“We had recommended the NSC and federal ministry to organise the event in March so that the students will not be affected. Our suggestions seem to have fallen on deaf ears,” Singh added.

Similarly, Tirandaj Gautam, member-secretary at Lumbini Province Sports Council, said that they were unable to decide on the district and provincial selections.

“If we conduct selections now and the event gets rescheduled again, our effort and resources will be wasted,” said Gautam.

On the other hand, the provincial teams have a shortage of budget due to which they are staying on the safer side and not investing/utilising the available resources without certainty.

“Yes, the provincial government does not have a sufficient budget to invest in sports currently. It is also why Koshi’s team had to back off from the ANFA Women’s League Final Round. Regarding the 10th National Games preparation, it is risky to invest now as it is still not sure whether the tournament take place in April,” said Damodar Phuyal, spokesperson for the Koshi Province Ministry of Social Development.

Federal authorities’ defence

The NSC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports established a secretariat for the 10th National Games at the NSC Building in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, on Wednesday last week. During the secretariat inauguration, Minister Chaudhary stressed that there were high chances for Karnali to not host all games in the 10th edition.

“There are challenges of accommodation, health and transportation in Karnali. We might organise some games in Nepalgunj or Kathmandu as well,” said Minister Chaudhary, adding, “If exams will affect the event, we can organise games before or after the rescheduled date but the official inauguration will be on April 5.”

After the 119th board meeting on Thursday, Minister Chaudhary said that the seven provinces and three departmental teams were notified to be ready.

“I think the letters to the participating teams from the Ministry will arrive by tonight or tomorrow. They have been told to prepare for the tournament in April and finish district and provincial selections,” Minister Chaudhary said, adding, “If there is no ‘technical issue’, the date will not be amended. We will make public the fixtures at least two months before the tournament.”

Following the ministry’s directive, the NSC has also speeded their preparations.

“We have set our eyes on April 5 to 12 and are preparing accordingly. We will start the countdown from 60 days. Daily discussions are underway to decide on the fixtures and venues as well,” said Khusharaj Dahal, spokesperson at the NSC.

Nevertheless, provincial authorities argued that they will face a wall against the prevailing laws if the 10th edition takes place in April.

“We need at least three months for the tender process as per the prevailing laws. The tender will be for kits and jerseys among others. With less than three months for the event itself and the fixtures not yet revealed, we have not been able to fulfil our requirements,” said Singh, Sudurpashchim’s member-secretary.

As per the three departmental clubs, their athletes have been training regularly even when the event was rescheduled and will continue even if the tournament does not take place on the new date. 

Around 5,000 athletes and 1,500 officials are expected to participate in the 10th National Games, the biggest national sports event.

(With inputs from Lalit Basel, Surkhet)