Lalitpur, July 30

The newly-appointed Minister for Youth and Sports Rajendra Kumar KC today said he was here for the development of sports sector and that the difference could be felt if he stays for 24 days.

Speaking a welcome programme organised by National Sports Council at the International Sports Complex, Minister KC said he would not tolerate incompetency and corruption. “I don’t know whether I am here for six months or nine months, but the sports sector will feel the difference within 24 days,” he said. “Every individual should take the responsibility and complete their duties if they are to stay.”

KC said organising the South Asian Games in the country would be a big challenge and no programmes would be hampered by the lack of budget. “I am ready to take initiation for budget based on programmes. We are very poor in the capacity to spend the budget as only 60 per cent of the total allocated amount was spent in the

last fiscal year. So we need to prepare the calendar and work accordingly,” said KC.

“I have seen a lot of problems in the sports sector and the players are also not earning their livings through sports. The situation is pathetic as athletes even have to struggle for their livings. We will work on improving the standard of athletes after their retirement,” Minister KC added. “All the problems should be solved and we will have to follow democratic norms while doing so.”

NSC Vice-President Lama Tendi Sherpa said the sports governing body would support Minster KC in every possible way to make his tenure successful one. NSC Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista claimed the sports sector was free of corruption and that the political affiliations would not create any problem between the sports governing body and ministry. Secretary at the MoYS Mahesh Prasad Dahal said the sports sector needed to improve the pace. “A lot of things are happening but that is not sufficient. We need to focus on quality apart from ensuring the change in working ways,” he said.