KATHMANDU: The 9th National Games is to be held in Gandaki province. Though the national sports jamboree is held every two years is could not be held in Baisakh 2078 BS due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 8th national games were held in Lumbini province in 2076 BS.

The National Sports Council (NSC) plans to hold the National Games around the month of Baisakh or Jetha of 2079 BS.

Meanwhile, Gandaki has started some preparations including a selection of playground, monitoring of infrastructure, and training. A total of 35 games will be played in the national sports competition. It has been proposed to include folk dohori and folk dance in the national sports from the 9th edition of the national games.

The Western Regional Sports Development Committee has sent a proposal to NSC to conduct at least one game in all 11 districts of Gandaki. Laxman Yogi, head of the office of the Western Regional Sports Development Committee, said that a proposal has been sent to all the districts to make the competition lively and inclusive even though most of it will be held at Pokhara Stadium.

The men’s and women’s sports including men’s football, athletics, boxing, weightlifting, volleyball, badminton, usu, handball, hockey, squash, and shooting are planned to be played in Pokhara.

Similarly, gymnastics, tennis, soft tennis, cricket, cycling, archery, swimming, golf, fitness, paragliding, and men’s and women’s triathlon are proposed to be held in Pokhara. However, Women’s Football will be held in Syangja, Taekwondo (Men / Women) in Baglung, Karate (Women / Men) in Lamjung, Table Tennis (Women / Men) in Mustang, Kabaddi, Wrestling, and Khokho (Women / Men) in Nawalpur and Judo and Sepakatakro (Women / Men) in Gorkha.

Similarly, basketball (men/women), chess (men/women) will be held in Manang, ITF Taekwondo (men/women) in Myagdi, full-contact karate (men/women) in Syangja, and fencing (men/women) in Parbat, and proposals for the same has been sent to NSC.

“We have sent the proposal considering the condition of sports infrastructure and the attraction of sports in the district concerned,” said Yogi, the head of the office.

A budget of Rs. 160 million has been allocated from NSC in the current fiscal year for the construction of sports infrastructure required for the national games. Aimed at the 9th national games, various sports associations have started training and practice of players in Pokhara.

The Provincial Sports Council has also allocated Rs. 5 million for the provision of sports materials to sports associations targeting national sports.

Dhwaj Kumar Gurung, a vice-chairman of the council, shared that necessary sports materials would be provided after the date of the games is fixed.

Similarly, the provincial government has allocated Rs. 20 million for the construction of sports infrastructure.