SURKHET, July 6: The government of Karnali Province has allocated Rs 450 million for the construction of sports infrastructure in the province. Of the total budget, Rs 350 million has been allocated for the construction of a Provincial Stadium and Rs 10 million each for the construction of sports stadiums in all 10 districts of the province.
Yagya Bahadur Budha Chhetri, Minister for Social Development, informed Republica that the provincial government has prioritized the development of sports infrastructures for the 10th National Sports Competition to be held in Karnali Province in 2080 BS.
The provincial government has declared plans for the stadium to be a matter of pride for Karnali Province. “It is necessary to build proper infrastructures for speed sports for the 10th National Sports Competition,” Budha Chhetri said. “The government has declared the project as a provincial pride and has allocated Rs 350 million for the coming year,” he added.
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The work on sports infrastructure could not move forward, despite the allocation of budget for a provincial stadium in the last three years. However, the development of sports infrastructure has gained momentum with the formation of the Provincial Sports Development Committee.
Bishwamitra Sanjyal, member-secretary of the sports committee informed Republica that a budget of Rs 220 million for the construction of the provincial stadium from the federal government remains frozen for three years. “The lack of development of sports infrastructure in Karnali Province is due to the lack of budget from the federal government,” Sanjyal said. “As the government has declared the project as a provincial pride, we are hopeful for the completion of the work in time,” he added.
Sanjyal also stated that the construction of the stadium has to be completed within the next two years for the 10th National Sports Competition. “The government has prioritized the development and construction of sports infrastructure, which is a matter of great pride for the sports sector,” he said
The construction of the provincial stadium is estimated to cost around Rs 2 billion. The stadium will hold as many as 10,000 spectators at a time, with a football field, an athletics track, and a swimming pool. Also, a covered hall with a capacity of 1,500 spectators, a handball court, a basketball court and other outdoor sports infrastructures will be constructed inside the stadium as well. Similarly, 120 shutters will be made for commercial purposes on the east and south side of the stadium.
The lack of budget will not be a problem for the project as the government has declared the provincial stadium a pride project for the province. “We also expect the federal government to provide an adequate budget in the coming years for the pride project,” Sanjyal said. “We are obligated to complete the stadium within two years and host the national sports competition,” he added.
According to Minister Budha Chhetri, the provincial government has also allocated Rs 100 million for the construction of stadiums in all of the 10 districts. “The government aims to develop the sports sector in the Karnali Province which has fallen far behind, as well as produce skilled players in the future,” Minister Budha Chhetri said.
