POKHARA: Member Secretary of National Sports Council (NSC), Keshav Kumar Bista, has said that the upcoming South Asian Games (SAG), 2019 would not be prevented from taking place due to infrastructure related issues.

Addressing the press meet organised by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum, Kaski on Wednesday, Bista said that an additional Rs 1.5 billion would be needed to prepare infrastructures to organise SAG. He added, should the government grant that fund, the required infrastructures could be constructed within six months.

Bista further claimed that an estimate of Rs 5 billion would be needed to operate the games.

While lamenting the lack of government's interest and investment in the development of sports in Nepal, Bista claimed that this was hurting the country's chance of winning medals in international games.

According to Bista, seven games including paragliding will be part of SAG being held in Pokhara.