The National Games is considered as a bi-annual event though only six editions have been organized in the last three decades.[break]
First National Games
The First National Games was organized in 2038 BS in Kathmandu. The National Games is the brainchild of then Member Secretary Sharad Chandra Shah. In the first edition, altogether 1,443 athletes from 14 zones had vied for 226 medals, where Bagmati won the most number of medals -- 44 gold, 33 silver and 25 bronze medals.
Second National Games
Pokhara hosted the second edition of the National Games in 2040 BS. The second edition featured 17 games. In this edition, lok dohari and folk dance competitions were also included in the sporting event. Altogether 2,507 athletes, including 539 females, from 14 zones vied for 370 medals. Bagmati zone topped the medal tally for the second time with 50 gold medals, 33 silver and 25 bronze medals.
Third National Games
The third edition of the National Games was hosted by Birgunj in 2042 BS. The third edition featured 21 events, also including folk dance and lok dohari. Altogether 2,775 athletes, including 738 females, participated in the tournament. The athletes had vied for 474 medals, including 146 golds. Bagmati zone won the most number of medals with 66 gold, 35 silver and 37 bronze medals.
Fourth National Games
The tradition of organizing the National Games every two years could not continue after the third edition. Nepalgunj hosted the fourth edition of the National Games in 2055 BS. In the first three editions, athletes used to represent zones but from the fourth edition five development regions and two departmental teams -- Nepal Police and Nepal Army -- started participating in the mega sporting event. The fourth edition featured only 16 games and altogether 1,622 athletes vied for 469 medals, including 140 golds. The Central Region won the most number of medals in the fourth edition with 49 gold, 31 silver and 32 bronze medals. Swimmer Nayana Shakya was the star of the Fourth National Games as she won nine golds.
Fifth National Games
It took 10 years for National Sports Council to host the Fifth National Games. Far Western Region had demanded hosting rights in 2057 BS but it could not take place then due to lack of infrastructure. Later, the stage was all set in Kathmandu for the Fifth National Games in 2058 BS but the Royal Massacre in the Narayanhiti Palace forced NSC to postpone the event.
Kathmandu hosted the fifth edition in 2065 BS. Athletes from five development regions and departmental teams -- Nepal Police, Nepal Army and Armed Police Force as well as PLA Club of Maoist combatants -- took part in the Fifth National Games. PLA’s participation created controversy and Nepal Army pulled out of the games participated by PLA players.
In the Fifth National Games altogether 31 games, including 21 official and 11 free championship events, were included. Altogether 3,173 athletes had vied for 1,782 medals, including 540 golds. Central region won the most number of medals in both official and open championships.
Central region won 69 gold, 32 silver and 36 bronze medals in 21 official championships while it won 52 gold, 44 silver and 53 bronze medals in 13 open championships.
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