Pokhara, January 23

The newly constructed basketball court at Armala Kot of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City was handed over to the local community today.

Nepal Basketball Association President Lama Tendi Sherpa and 89-year-old Munga Gurung, mother of former British Army Jit Bahadur Gurung, inaugurated the court. Similarly, Jit Bahadur Gurung and Armala Bhai Khalak Organisation of UK’s Shera Gurung handed over the court to Sita Community School, local club and Aama Samuha.

Jit Bahadur Gurung had initiated the construction of the basketball court that covers around four-ropani land at an altitude of 1,500 meters. The court was constructed with the budget of Rs 5.3 million. Gurung, who donated a total of Rs 1.7 million, took the initiation after buying land for Rs 400,000 as the village lacked venues for sports and entertainment, according to NBA Vice-president Jum Prasad Gurung, whose family also donated 19-aana land for the court.

Jit Bahadur Gurung spent Rs 550,000 to construct parapet in memory of his father Tanka Prasad Gurung. Similarly, Armala Bhai Khalak Organization of UK supported Rs 3.6 million for the court. Meanwhile, National Sports Council Vice-president and NBA President Lama said the contribution in sports development by the locals was praiseworthy.