Kathmandu, March 27:

The National Sports Counil has set aside 289 golds, as many silvers and 410 bronze medals for the fifth National Games slated for April 6-12 in Kathmandu.

A total of 3,500 players from across the nation will take part in 32 disciplines included in the Games, which is being held after 11 years. The fifth edition of the Games — originally scheduled to begin on June 3, 2001 — was postponed due to the Royal Massacre two days earlier.

The Games is being held in three phases — district, regional and central. “The district selection tournaments have been finished and the regional tournaments will be over by March 31,” said Member Secretary of National Sports Council and President of Organising Committee Jeevan Ram Shrestha at a press meet today. “Except for boxing, chess, wushu and cricket, the regional tournaments of all other sports have been finished,” he said.

Shrestha also informed that the NSC was planning grand opening and closing ceremonies at the Dasharath Stadium.

The Games will be held in different venues in the Valley with Tundikhel alone hosting nine tournaments. Out of the proposed budget of Rs 250 million, the NSC has already received Rs 100 million from the government in two installments. The NSC has also set up media centre for the Games.