DHANUSA, Nov 25: The 13th South Asian Games is only six days away but the construction of required infrastructure and venues, which should have been completed weeks ago, is still underway.

The mega sporting event of South Asia has returned to Nepal after nine years. For the first time in the country’s SAG history, the games are being hosted in three cities. 

Of the total 26 games, Pokhara is hosting only eight events after paragliding was removed from the previous list citing little participation, whereas wrestling will be held in Janakpur. 

The only metropolitan city of Province 2, Janakpur is known for producing national level wrestlers. 

Wrestling has been scheduled at the covered hall of Dhanusha District Sports Development Committee. But the construction works at the wrestling venue are still underway. District Sports Development Committee Chair Kamal Chaudhary said they have expedited the preparatory works in order to make the hall ready before the games.

“The construction works are in the final stage,” said Chaudhary, assuring that the project will be ‘completed before the games’.

The Janakpur wrestling covered hall is under the providence of the district committee. But, except coaches’ rooms, the hall has been in an awful state due to the lack of required budget.

“It is our aim to hold wrestling here in an orderly fashion. We want to make it successful by finishing the construction works on time. We have accelerated the preparations. The hall will be ready before the 1st of December,” said Chaudhary. 

The works of coloring, installing electric bulbs, toilet construction, drinking water management, and stands are underway 24/7. The stage and VIP room are also being built. 

The hall will have a parapet capable of accommodating 1,000 spectators. The spectators can also watch the wrestling matches on the screen outside the covered hall.

A total of 32 man wrestlers from five countries and 28 woman wrestlers from four countries are competing under seven categories each for 20 golds. The matches will be held from December 6 through 9. Bhutan and Maldives have not participated in men’s wrestling while Pakistan has been confirmed not to take part in women’s wrestling.

Due to the absence of a covered hall in the host city, the players have been training in Hetuada for the past five months.  

The covered hall was constructed in 1983. But the reconstruction of the hall is being done for the first time after the National Sports Council allocated Rs 2 million for it in view of the upcoming SAG.

 
• SAG
 
• Wrestling
 
• infrastructure