Effects of the games are felt by business both big and small with kiosks, tea stalls and grocery shops reporting double the normal sales. Higher growth have been reported in area closers to the stadium and the main city square.[break]
“Before the national games, meat form a single goat was sufficient for business," said Surya Man Gurung, proprietor of Gurung Sekuwa Center of L N Chowk. "Now meat from two goats are falling short of demand. Volume of liquor sales have gone up too."
Hoteliers told Republica that almost all hotels in Dhangadi were reporting full occupancy, and their restaurants were seeing business like never before. Local restaurants serving lunch, snacks and dinner could be seen crowded throughout the day.
“People have come from all parts of the country to participate and watch the sporting event and this has been good for us,” said Krishna Bahadur Mahara, operator of Devotee Hotel.
The market of Dhangadi city presently casts a vibrant look. Constructions of physical infrastructure, money spent for lodging and foods, special lodging arrangements for sportsmen and women, officials and supporting staffs and procurement of sports materials have released huge ammounts of money in the market.
Amid rise in consumption, some of the hoteliers have even raised room tarrif and prices of food have also risen. “My regular sales used to be at around Rs 4,000 a day. Now its around Rs 8,000 a day,” said Dev Datta Bhatta, proprietor of Paratha Center based in front from municipality office.
The city has witnessed a sharp rise in supply of fruits and vegetables as well as traders flocking to make the most of the emerging business opportunity.
Taslim Ansari, who has supplied vegetables to majority of hotels and restaurants in Dhagadi, said her turnover presently stands at about Rs 17,000 a day, almost the double that her normal sales. Fruits and juice sellers too reported similar rise in their businesses.
Presently, about 3,000 players, coaches, officials, supporting staffs, journalists and sports lover have moved to Dhangadi for the 6th National Games. “This has brought the city´s business activities back to life. If only we could retain such liveliness round the year,” commented Mohan Sharma, general secretary of Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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