POKHARA: Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 34.6 million budget for the ninth National Games scheduled to be held in Gandaki Province from October 14-20.

The Finance Ministry of the Gandaki Province provided the budget for different activities related to ninth national games including closed training to athletes and their selection.

Finance Minister Ramji Prasad Baral said the Ministry allocated the budget as per the demand of Province Sports Council and recommendation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Although the Sports Ministry had demanded Rs 50 million for the preparation of the national games, the Finance Ministry provided Rs 34.6 million budget for the time being. Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 14 million for the national games in its budget program of the current fiscal year.

Finance Minister Baral shared, “We will not allow the budget crunch for the training, preparation and basic requirement of the athletes of Gandaki Province in the ninth national games. We will allocate budget again if more budget is needed.” Gandaki Province government has started special training of 14 games from Friday in the first phase. (RSS)