POKHARA, August 21: Preparations for the 9th National Games have started. It was announced two days before the start of the training and selection competition from Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province. The 9th National Games include 38 games - 36 competitive games and two exhibition games. There is no one training in Manang, Mustang, Tanahun and Lamjung. In the remaining 7 districts, there is one trainer in Parbat, two in Gorkha, one in Myagdi, three in Baglung, two in Nawalpur, one in Syangja and five in Kaski. Most of the instructors are only for Taekwondo and Siterio Karate.

“There is no sports administration in Lamjung. Since there is no administration, there is no question of having a coach," said Laxman Prasad Yogi, the head of the office of Western Regional Sports Development Committee, Pokhara, "There are no sports coaches in Manang, Mustang and Tanahun." According to him, volunteer coaches have been doing the work of organizing the game. On the shoulders of such volunteer coaches is the responsibility of winning medals for Gandaki Province.

In Pokhara, the capital of the province, there are only volleyball, weightlifting, physical fitness, karate (siterio) and taekwondo coaches of the National Sports Council. Wushu's coach retired not long ago. There are coaches for Full Contact Karate in Syangja, Siterio Karate in Nawalpur, Gymnastics, Taekwondo and Wushu in Baglung, Taekwondo in Myagdi, Taekwondo and Karate in Gorkha and Athletics in Parbat.

The ninth national games include football, cricket, volleyball, athletics, badminton, table tennis, hockey, boxing, kabaddi, weightlifting, shooting, gymnastics, swimming, handball, judo, wrestling, soft tennis, squash, taekwondo, wushu, basketball, physical fitness, Sports included are Buddhichal, Kho Kho, Karate, Full Contact Karate, ITF Taekwondo, Sepak Takraw, Golf, Archery, Cycling, Fencing, Triathlon, Paragliding, Rugby (Seven a Side), Chhelo (Exhibition) and Cannoning (Exhibition).

While inaugurating the Secretariat of the Ninth National Games Competition at Pokhara Stadium on Sunday, the Federal Government has released the necessary budget for the Ninth National Games, Youth and Sports Minister Maheshwar Jung Gahatraj said, “Sports cannot be stopped because of the budget problem.” He said that he is also preparing to appoint the necessary technicians for the national competition after ascertaining how many are needed.

“The National Sports Council will determine how many technicians (coaches) are required. Wherever there is a need, we will start training by appointing volunteer trainers on contract," he said. Sports should be linked with tourism. Pokhara itself is a tourist area. Tourism should be promoted through the 9th national games, said Minister Gahatraj. Minister Gahatraj insisted that Gandaki Province and Pokhara Metropolitan City should also focus on making the ninth national games civilized and magnificent. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Secretariat, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya mentioned that the sports field is the one that binds the nation in the formula of unity and expressed his commitment to support the 9th National Games in every way possible. The Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Krishna Chandra Pokharel Nepali was also present at the inauguration ceremony.

 
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