Sports Revival Begins

The National Games, Nepal’s biggest sporting festival, is the most awaited event for athletes across the country. It remains the only major platform for players to showcase their talent and prove their excellence as national champions in their respective disciplines. Competitors from all provinces go through rigorous selection processes to earn their place in the Games. Winning a medal at the National Games is one of the cherished dreams of every athlete. Strong performances here not only bring national glory but also open doors to international competitions. The Games serve as a pathway for athletes to represent Nepal on regional, continental, and global stages such as the South Asian Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics.

The National Games are meant to be organised every two years. But they are frequently postponed, leaving athletes disheartened. Sporting careers are short, and once athletes move beyond their prime years, their performance inevitably declines. For many, the dream of winning medals at their peak gets shattered. The Games began in 1982 in Kathmandu to become a biennial multi-sport competition. By now, Nepal should have hosted the 22nd edition, but the nation is still struggling to stage the tenth. Political upheavals, internal disputes within the sporting sector, and incomplete infrastructure have been the main reasons behind this inconsistency. Karnali Province was handed the responsibility of hosting the 10th edition. The flag was passed to Karnali during the closing ceremony of the 9th National Games, held in Pokhara, Gandaki Province, from 14–20 October 2022. Initially, the 10th edition was scheduled for November 2024. However, delays in preparation meant the deadline was missed. Since then, the date has been rescheduled more than four times, with the government failing to meet each timeline.

Finally, the 123rd board meeting of the National Sports Council (NSC) held under the chairmanship of newly appointed Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta on November 5 decided to host the Games from February 13–19, 2026. The Council of Ministers endorsed the decision the other day, rekindling hope among athletes. Chairing the NSC meeting, Minister Gupta had directed board members to focus on solutions rather than raising concerns. He also instructed sports associations that have not held competitions for years to organise national tournaments within three months. Gupta’s proactive approach has been welcomed, as he is also pushing to resume Nepal’s top-tier football league, which has been suspended for more than two and a half years.

Despite renewed optimism, several challenges remain. The federal elections, scheduled for February, pose a major concern. The three security forces—Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Army—are key contenders in the Games, but their personnel may be required for election security duties instead. Another pressing issue is the vacant post of Member Secretary at the Karnali Province Sports Council. Contractors have completed infrastructure projects in Surkhet, the provincial capital, but handover has stalled due to unpaid bills in the absence of a Member Secretary. At the federal level, the NSC’s Member Secretary is also set to vacate office later this month, and the government must act swiftly to fill the position to keep preparations on track.

Weather conditions in Karnali add further complications. Districts such as Humla and Jumla, which are set to host some events, face harsh winter conditions in February. In addition, the lengthy public procurement process threatens to slow down preparations, while player selection from local level must be expedited to meet deadlines. As the cabinet has endorsed the date, it is high time for the federal and provincial governments, the National Sports Council and the sports associations to work together to ensure the 10th National Games take place on schedule by overcoming the legal, technical and financial challenges. Until then, let us keep our fingers crossed.