MYAGDI: After 12 years of effort, the construction of a community playground in Dosalle, Annapurna Rural Municipality-7, has finally been completed. Initiated by the Orange Youth Club in 2015 BS, the project reached completion in the current fiscal year 2025/26.
According to Prem Paija Pun, chairperson of the Consumers’ Committee, the project faced long delays due to limited financial resources. “What was once a wasteland has now been transformed into a functional playground,” he said.
“We leveled the land using a dozer, built retaining walls, filled it with soil, installed wire mesh fencing, constructed slopes, a stage, and public toilets. The progress was slow because we had to match the scope of work with the limited budget we received from government agencies.”
Annapurna Rural Municipality provided consistent support over the past six years, allocating a total of Rs 3.4 million between fiscal years 2076/77 and 2081/82. An additional Rs 500,000 was contributed by the Gandaki Province government.
In the current fiscal year, Rs 118,148 was allocated by the rural municipality, and local residents contributed labor worth an estimated Rs 1 million to complete the slope and the outer section of the playground.
With the new facility now complete, it has become easier to organize sports practices and competitions. Orange Youth Club Chairman Beg Bahadur Paija Pun noted that basketball and volleyball can now be played regularly on the newly built playground, located near a two-story school building.
Previously, students’ studies were disrupted when sports were held on the school premises. The new playground has a parapet in one corner, made from stone steps, where spectators can sit and watch the games. The remaining three sides are enclosed with wire mesh fencing.
To make up for the lack of public land at the site, local residents Sher Pratap Paija and Pavati Paija donated 10 aanas of land. The 45-household village of Dosalle is now actively using the space, with both youth and adults playing volleyball and basketball.
Ward Chairman Mailan Purja Pun shared that concrete playgrounds have now been constructed in all five toles of the former Histan VDC: Dosalle, Gharamdi, Rima, Aula, and Tikot.
“We have established a rule that each of the five toles will take turns hosting one sports fair per year,” he said. “This decision helps preserve our traditional sports culture while also promoting community unity and athletic participation.”
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