Fifth National Games in April

KATHMANDU, Dec 30: Nepali sports fans will get to see National Games after an 11-year hiatus as the Ministry of Finance agreed to allocate Rs 90 million for the Fifth National Games. [break]



The ministry has taken the decision on demand from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.



Sources said the Ministry of Finance has decided to disburse the amount in two installments paving way for the Fifth National Games to be held in April 2009 (end of Chaitra). Ministry of Sports had demanded Rs 110 million to hold the National Games after Minister for Youth and Sports Gopal Shakya had declared to hold the Games this year.



"We had talked with the Ministry of Finance. I have received informal information that they have agreed to provide some money," Minister Shakya told dainikee.com.



National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha said that NSC would start preparations after receiving a formal letter in this regard from the Ministry of Finance. "We had decided to include 30 disciplines in the Games but the final decision will depend upon the size of the allocated amount," Shrestha said adding that he does not know how much the Ministry of Finance has agreed to give.



The Fourth National Games were held in Dhangadi in 2054 B.S. and the fifth scheduled to be held in 2058 B.S. in Kathmandu were canceled after the 2001 Royal Massacre.



NSC tried to hold the Games in 2059, 2060 and 2061 but could not do so due to lack of budget.

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