Earlier, NSC had set the age bar of 16 years for athletes to participate in every game in the National Games but NSC limited the provision only for the players of contact games, now. [break]
“Athletes can participate in the National Games even though they are below 16 but only in the non-contact games,” said Yuvaraj Lama, member secretary of NSC. “However, it is only for those athletes, who had already participated at the national and international levels and are immensely talented. Otherwise, National School Games will be organized for minor athletes,” he added.
NSC has been facing serious criticism on the issue after the provision restricted athletes like Ashlesha Lissanevitch (tennis), Dipesh Dhami (badminton), who had represented the country at the international event, from participating in the biggest sporting event of the country.
NSC organized a press conference on Monday to inform about the ongoing preparations for the Sixth National Games to be held in Mahendra Nagar and Dhangadhi from February 26 to March 4.
Players´ registration
Meanwhile, Member Secretary Lama said players´ registration is still going on for the games categorized to host open competitions in the National Games and in the districts, which are yet to organize the selection. “Athletes, now, can register until a day ahead of the selection tournament,” said Lama.
According to Lama, altogether 29,596 athletes have filled registration forms until Monday to participate in the 31 sports chosen for the Sixth National Games.
Football is seen as the most popular sport since 5,305 players, including 937 in women´s category, have registered their names while tennis is on the bottom as only 38 players, including five women, have registered their names for the National Games. Among the individual games, karate is on the top as 3,813 players have registered their names.
On the geographical basis, athletics and volleyball are seen as the most popular sports. Athletics and volleyball players are found in all 75 districts while golfers registered till now represent only two districts.
Budget
According to Lama, NSC had asked for Rs 219.4 million from the government for organizing the Sixth National Games and they have already received Rs 100 million. “The government has promised to release remaining amount soon,” claimed Lama.
Likewise, NSC had asked for Rs 51.8 million for infrastructure development and the government has already released Rs 30 million. “The government has assured us and we are sure to conclude the National Games successfully,” said Lama.
Facilities
Member Secretary Lama said NSC would provide branded sportswear and sports kits of international standard to the athletes, who will participate in the National Games.
“We have heard that there used to be financial irregularities in supplying sportswear and kits. This time, we will provide branded things and of international standard,” said Lama. Lama also informed that committees are formed to manage food and accommodation for the athletes during the National Games and the committees have initially suggested to provide Rs 800 per day to the athletes and the officials.
Infrastructure
NSC informed that infrastructure development is going on in full swing in Mahendra Nagar and Dhangadhi to host the National Games.
“We are developing tracks and renovating covered halls in Dhangadhi. Likewise, we are preparing cricket pitch, football ground and volleyball court in Mahendra Nagar,” informed Lama. According to Lama, 14 different projects of construction and renovation are going on in the two cities.
However, sports like golf, swimming, squash, billiard and snooker as well as shooting can not be organized in the two cities due to lack of infrastructure. “Associations concerned have been advising venues in other cities for these sports and we are considering the options,” said Lama.
General preparation
NSC formed a 651-member main organizing committee headed by Youth and Sports Minister Kamala Roka for the National Games while a 31-member executive committee headed by Lama has also been formed. Likewise, swamp deer has been chosen as the mascot of the National Games.
Meanwhile, NSC has recruited volunteers including 98 coaches for the Sixth National Games. However, the NSC decision of recruitment is facing high criticism. A group of sportsmen padlocked Regional Sports Development Committee´s office in Biratnagar on Monday protesting against the recruitment. “We have done nothing wrong and such protests will keep going on,” said Lama.
Games
Among the 31 sports included in the National Games, football, athletics, bodybuilding, shooting, handball, judo, full-contact karate, basketball, ITF taekwondo, wrestling, chess, badminton, wushu, weightlifting, volleyball, table-tennis, karate, taekwondo, boxing and kabaddi will be organized following selection tournaments at district and regional levels. On the other hand, lawn tennis, soft tennis, gymnastics, archery, golf, cycling, hockey, billiard and snooker, swimming, squash, cricket are categorized as open competition.
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