Sports Ministry's annual performance report unveiled

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 2: Minister for Youth and Sports, Tejulaal Chaudhary, has announced that construction of a football stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000 is underway in Bhaktapur District.

He made the announcement during the public unveiling of the Ministry’s annual performance report on Friday. Minister Chaudhary stated that, in addition to the stadium in Bhaktapur, efforts are progressing to acquire land within the Kathmandu Valley for the construction of an international covered volleyball hall.

He noted that preparations are also being made to host the Nepal Sports Investment Summit 2025.

Minister Chaudhary further commented that plans and discussions are ongoing to successfully organise the long-delayed 10th National Games.

He affirmed that the date for the national sporting event will be finalised shortly, and that it will be held as scheduled.

In addition, the Ministry has initiated the construction of high-altitude training centres in Nepal’s Himalayan regions, including Dolakha, Mustang, Jumla, and Solukhumbu. “Renovation works at Narayani Rangashala—Nepal’s second-oldest stadium—as well as the adjacent covered hall, have also commenced,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, the Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium in Morang, and the Fapla International Cricket Stadium and Sports Village in Dhangadhi, Kailali have been completed.

“This year, a High Performance Centre and a National Sports Science Lab have been established in Satdobato,” he added.

During the event, Minister Chaudhary addressed policy and legal matters for the fiscal year 2024–25, along with structural reforms. The Ministry introduced the National Sports Policy and drafted procedures for the establishment of the Nepal Institute of Sports Science.

"In terms of organisational improvement, work is underway to establish the office of the National Anti-Doping Agency Nepal, alongside structural surveys of the Ministry, the National Sports Council, and the Anti-Doping Agency," he added.

Minister Chaudhary also shared that, under “Mission 2026”, special training is being provided to 85 athletes and 19 coaches across ten sporting disciplines, in preparation for the 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan.

Under the Ministry’s talent search programme, 102 athletes and seven coaches in volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, and rugby are receiving training support through scholarships.