Emphasis on sports infrastructure

KATHMANDU, July 14: The upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2011/12 is expected to emphasize the development of sports infrastructure as it was categorically mentioned in the government´s policy and programs.



According to a source at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), allocation of budget for the construction of a stadium at Kailali and a swimming pool in Nepalgunj is on cards.[break]



“Two covered halls, one in Pokhara and another in Kathmandu, will be built keeping in view the possibility of hosting the 13th South Asian Games (SAG),” said the source. “However, there is no plan of building a new stadium in the valley even though it has been agreed in principle that Nepal would host the 13th SAG.”



Nepal Olympic Committee led by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan had suggested the government to construct a new stadium within the valley. “We had received the suggestion and the ministry understands the urgency for another stadium within the valley. However, there will be no budget for it as there is no concrete plan for building such stadium,” said the source.



"At least a token amount will be allocated for the Sports Academy project in Makawanpur as MoYS has sought budget for the project," informed the source. "Project of building stadiums in Sunsari and Chitwan will also get continuity while some amount of budget will be allocated for developing sports grounds at different districts," he added.



Budget will be allocated for the Sixth National Games and for the preparation of the 13th SAG, claimed the source.



“The sports ministry has asked for a total budget of Rs 900 million for the upcoming fiscal year but is likely to get around Rs 700 million only,” said the source. “Around Rs 134 million will be set aside for youth affairs and a major chunk of the budget will go for the development of sports,” he added.



Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) is likely to get a budget of around Rs 530 million in the upcoming year, according to the source.



Last year the government had allocated Rs 490 million for NSC. National Sports Council (NSC) alone had demanded Rs 806 million for the upcoming fiscal year and NSC Member-secretary Yuvaraj Lama has threatened to quit from his position if the Finance Ministry puts a ceiling on the budget for NSC.

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