Kathmandu, May 28

National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista welcomed the budget allocated to sports sector for the fiscal year 2016-17 and lauded government’s positive attitude towards sports sector.

Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel allocated a total budget of 2.4 billion for Ministry of Youth and Sports with Rs 2.2 billion as recurrent expenditure and Rs 190 million as capital expenses.

Apart from allocating Rs 200 million each for the infrastructure development for the hosting of 13th South Asian Games in 2018 and the seventh National Games.

Minister Paudel has also put aside budgets for other projects including cricket stadiums.

“Stadiums in Mulpani, Bhairahawa and Dhangadhi will be completed within three years, while the projects will be started for new stadiums in Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Dhanusha, Morang, Dang, Surkhet and Parsa,” Paudel said the lawmakers in his speech.

“The government will start the construction of international standard stadiums in Lakhanpur of Jhapa and Kathmandu, while I have also allocated budget to construct one each stadium and covered hall in all States,” he added.

“We will also start the construction of high-altitude Sports Stadium in Mustang and Solukhumbu.” Minister Paudel said the President Running Shield would be held in all the community schools of 75 districts and the government would reward the athletes who win medals in international tournaments.

NSC Member Secretary Bista said there were lots of positive aspects for sports sector in the budget.

According to Bista, out of the total budget of Rs 2.4 billion allocated for the ministry, Rs 2.05 billion was for sports.

“We have got an increment of around Rs 230 million which is good for sports sector,” said Bista.

“The government has allocated budget for the preparation of the 13th SA Games and it has also ensured the organization of the Seventh National Games,” said Bista.

“The budget has put infrastructure development in priority by allocating amounts for stadiums and covered hall throughout the nation, which includes a multi-purpose covered hall in Kirtipur and heating-system swimming pool. We can also start the construction of 50,000-capacity stadium with other facilities in Kathmandu,” he said.

“Overall the existing programmes got continuity and there are also lots of new projects incorporated in the budget,” Bista added.

“The government also approved our proposal of sports awareness campaign and nationwide talent hunt programme. And we can now upgrade the academy to certificate level this year and to diploma level from next year by building hostel in Gauritar,” he added.