Anil Malla Thakuri
KATHMANDU, May 30: The government’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 does not include any specific provisions for Nepal’s preparation for the 20th Asian Games, which will be held in Japan next September.
While the government has unveiled ambitious plans for sports infrastructure, including the construction of modern cricket stadiums in eight cities and multi-purpose indoor stadiums with a capacity of 2,000 spectators in seven cities, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle made no mention of preparations for the Asian Games in his budget speech.
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The government has allocated NPR 4.03 billion to the sports sector. The Ministry of Finance had initially set a budget ceiling of NPR 3.20 billion, but the final allocation exceeded that limit by NPR 820 million. The proposed budget had included major sporting events such as the Asian Games, the 10th National Games, and para-sports competitions.
However, no separate allocation was announced for preparations related to the Asian Games in Japan. Nepal’s sports governing body, the National Sports Council (NSC), had reportedly requested between NPR 150 million and NPR 160 million for the event. According to an NSC official, the proposed budget had not included the construction of the Fapla Cricket Ground, which may explain why the final allocation exceeded the original proposal.
Despite the omission, the budget includes several key initiatives for sports development. These include the construction of cricket stadiums, multi-purpose indoor arenas, and a program to provide lifelong free healthcare to athletes who win international medals after retirement. The government has also pledged to strengthen sports development from the grassroots level by introducing training programs with residential facilities for students.
The budget outlines a plan to construct football stadiums with a capacity of 8,000 spectators within the next three years. These stadiums will also be equipped with floodlights. In addition, the government has announced a five-year plan to build modern cricket stadiums in eight major cities.
Multi-purpose indoor halls with seating capacity for 2,000 people will be built in Biratnagar, Surkhet, Butwal, Lahan, Dhangadhi, and Pokhara.
The 10th National Games were originally scheduled to take place last year in Karnali Province. However, the event could not be held after then Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary failed to push it forward, resulting in the allocated budget remaining unused.
The current government has continued funding for the 10th National Games in Karnali and has also allocated resources for infrastructure development related to the 11th National Games, which will be hosted in Madhesh Province.
The budget further states that the designs of the Mulpani Cricket Stadium and Academy, the Girija Prasad Koirala Stadium, and the Fapla International Cricket Stadium will be revised before determining investment modalities. The government has also announced plans to provide sports training to students from the school level and to offer lifelong free medical treatment to athletes who win international medals after retirement.
