Kathmandu, January 15

Futsal arenas in Kathmandu were today allowed to resume sporting activities after their operators reached an 18-point agreement with the local administration and police to make them safe, systematic, dependable and effective.

An all-side meeting chaired by Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Ram Krishna Subedi drafted the points of agreement acceptable to the authorities concerned and operators of futsal arenas.

Holding the meeting was felt urgent after the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, yesterday ordered the closure of all futsal arenas operating in the capital until further notice, putting a question mark over their legal status and activities.

“The meeting ended conclusively and we reached the 18-point agreement with operators of futsal arenas to regulate them. With the signing of the agreement, futsal operators can resume their activities,” CDO Subedi told The Himalayan Times.

As per the agreement, the futsal operators will be required to register with the Department of Cottage and Small Industries within 30 days if such venues are being run for business purposes. They have to give an undertaking that no futsal arena will be used for gambling. “The futsal arenas should not disturb the peace of neighbourhood and should close by 7:00pm. No one will be allowed inside the futsal arenas in school or college uniform without consent of his/her guardians. They will also have to make necessary arrangements of first-aid,” said CDO Subedi while sharing the agreement.

Futsal arenas will also be required to prominently display the code of conduct and fees, install CCTV cameras, provide for changing rooms and bathrooms within 30 days.

Futsal operators have also agreed to ensure third-party insurance and develop an operating procedure within three months.

There are at least 51 futsal arenas in the capital.