A source at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) said the government has recognized the sports sector under the P1 for the first time in history.[break]
According to the ministry source, the government will allocate Rs 500 million for the sports sector -- almost double the amount allocated last year.
"Of the 500 million rupees, Rs 110 million would be allocated for capital expenditure while Rs 390 million would be earmarked for recurrent expenditure," said the source. The NSC had demanded Rs 750 million for the sports sector in the upcoming budget.
Likewise, Rs 100 million will be allocated for the Sixth National Games and Rs 33.3 million to pay debts taken for the country´s participation in the ongoing 16th Asian Games. Then government had provided the National Sports Council (NSC) Rs 250 million during the Fifth National Games two years ago.
Capital expenditure for sports which was Rs 50 million last year would be increased to Rs 110 million in the new budget. "Though NSC failed to utilize all the amount, the amount for capital expenditure has been doubled this time around as various infrastructure building projects are underway," said the MoYS source.
Around Rs 35 million of the last years´ capital expenditure was frozen by the ministry after the NSC failed to start development projects on time.
Last year, the government had allocated Rs 270 million for the sports sector and later provided Rs 60 million to NSC for the country´s participation in the 11th South Asian Games.
According to the MoYS source, Rs 40 million will be allocated for the development of the Mulpani Cricket Ground under the capital expenditure.
MoYS Under-secretary Antar Bahadur Silwal told Republica that the ministry will also bear additional expenses to organize programs like the President´s Running Shield and para athletics.
Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Surendra Pandey said that he is also planning to introduce incentives to motivate athletes to perform better. Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Labor Relations, Minister Pandey said that the government would award medal winners with cash incentives.
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