However, doubts about construction quality and lack of coordination among sports bodies have been surfacing over recent weeks.
Republica correspondent in Dhangadhi, Dil Bahadur Chatyal, reports that as contractors are trying to meet the deadline, doubts about construction quality are being expressed by the people in the region. Earlier, National Sports Council (NSC) had declared a January-29 deadline for completing the construction of two parapets, athletics track and ground as well as renovation of the covered hall in Dhangadhi. [break]
Even engineers deployed by NSC at the site agreed that they are expediting construction work to make the facilities ready before the inauguration of the event. "We are not compromising on quality but we are unable to monitor every work," said engineer Raju Shrestha.
After failing to meet the deadline of January 29, NSC has given a new deadline of February 12 to the contractors. A contractor informed that the bricks used for the constructions are of substandard and they are using even those bricks without watering them. "If we use bricks without watering, the cement will not grab it properly," he said.
Meanwhile, expansion of the plywood used for flooring the Dhangadhi´s covered hall raised more questions and doubts over the quality of the construction materials.
n his another dispatch from Dhangadi, Chhatyal reports that students of Aishwarya Bidya Niketan have been practicing the drills for the inauguration ceremony of the Sixth National Games after the schooltime but they are not provided with lunch though NSC has allocated budget for this purpose. "We are tired and hungry after the school and the practice makes us all the more tired and hungry," said Bishal Dhungana, a 10-year-old boy. Barsha Dhakal, a seventh grader in the school, said it is too difficult for them to participate in the drills with hungry stomach.
Around 450 students have been participating in the drills. School Principal Dharma Dev Bhatta said secretariat of the Sixth National Games had not provided budget for providing lunch packets to students.
Dharma Dev Ojha, accountant at the Regional Sports Development Committee, said there is budget for providing lunch packets to students but he asked to contact Ceremony Management Committee for further details. However, officials of the committee could not be reached despite frequent attempts.
Our correspondent Bikram Giri reports from Mahendranagar that construction of cricket ground as well as renovation of covered hall is taking place there. District Sports Development Committee asked for support from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police to complete the work of covering the ground with lawn.
A ground with 60m radius is being constructed while the District Sports Development Committee had asked to construct a ground of 75m radius. "As NSC said it can not sanction more than Rs 3 million for the ground, we are forced to reduce the radius of the ground," said engineer Bishwamitra Sanjyal. The construction was started only after December 26. Meanwhile, locals are unhappy with NSC as it has ignored a ´master plan´ set by District Sports Development Committee for the construction of infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Cricket Association Nepal (CAN) Vice-President Chatur Bahadur Chand complained NSC didn´t seek any advice from CAN in developing the cricket ground.
Giri further reports that officials of the District Sports Development Committee were forced to buy sports gear on credit to commence the regional selection of ITF taekwondo last week. As the renovation of the covered hall in Mahendranagar is going on, the organizers were forced to conduct indoor games in open without mats.
Republica correspondent Khagendra Adhikari reported from Taplejung that the District Sports Development Committee had to borrow cash to buy uniforms for the players before sending them to participate in the regional selection tournaments.
Our Dadeldhura correspondent Barun Paneru reported that local organizers of the regional selection tournament of taekwondo were forced to conduct the game without preparation. Taekwondo Coach Rajendra Bhandari said they could not manage even the tie-sheet of the competition in the hurry to organize the regional tournaments.
Lama confident there´s no wrongdoing
National Sports Council (NSC) Member-Secretary Yuvaraj Lama dismissed all allegations, controversies and doubts about preparations for the Sixth National Games.
Organizing a press conference in his office on Wednesday, Lama said NSC is concerned over the media reports, but not bogged down by them. "If any technical person shows weaknesses in the construction, we´ll ask contractors to correct it immediately but layman´s comment on technical issues has no value," said Lama.
"All the construction works are taking place in the heart of the city and we can´t hide any wrongdoing. NSC and authorities concerned will inspect the construction works time and again. If we find that the construction is not as per the contract with the builders, we´ll take action against them," he added.
He challenged if anybody has proof of substandard materials being used in construction or of any irregularities being committed by the NSC board should knock the doors of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
"We are transparent and keeping things clean but if anybody wants to politicize things and tries to disrupt the Sixth National Games, I have nothing to say," said Lama.
Lama also said that NSC has released the budget for all district and regional committees as per the financial regulations of the Sixth National Games. "I agree that there is deficit of budget but we have to follow the regulations. NSC itself is facing financial crunch for conducting the Sixth National Games," said Lama. "District should either maintain their activities within the budgetary limitations or mobilize local resources," he added.
Lama admitted that small problems are seen in managing regional selection tournaments. "We are conducting selection tournaments of 27 games in all five regions. Thousands of athletes, hundreds of technical persons and volunteers are participating in these events. If there are some lapses, we´ll correct them," said Lama.
Players´ kit unveiled
Meanwhile, NSC has unveiled a kit that would be given to every participating athlete in the Sixth National Games on Wednesday. The kit has a set of tracksuits, shoes and socks, T-shirts, towels. According to Member-Secretary Lama, the kit costs Rs 3,343 including all taxes. "We want to be transparent and maintain a minimum quality for the kits. For this, we are unveiling it in front of the press cameras," said Lama.
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