Surkhet, October 4
Preparations for the 10th National Games have been stepped up, with the main organising committee deciding to delegate authority to an executive committee to oversee the event’s operation, management and preparations.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the main organising committee held in Birendranagar on Sunday. Officials said the delegation of authority would make it easier to take and implement decisions as it would be difficult for the main committee to meet frequently.
The National Games will be held in Surkhet and other districts of Karnali Province.
The meeting decided that 21 teams will participate in the Games, including teams from all seven provinces, three departmental teams, three other teams and representatives of the relevant national sports associations.
Competitions will be held in 32 sports disciplines.
The meeting was chaired by Education and Sports Minister and National Sports Council Chair Sasmita Pokharel. Karnali Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi attended as the chief guest.
Around 50 to 55 people participated in the meeting, including Karnali Social Development Minister Jit Bahadur Malla, Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Tek Raj Pachhai, National Planning Commission member Renu Dhungana, senior federal and provincial government officials, security officials, representatives from the sports sector and other stakeholders.
Executive committee given wider responsibilities
The meeting authorised the executive committee to issue necessary directions and oversee preparations, management and the operation of the National Games in accordance with the National Games Operation Directive 2083.
The committee will also be responsible for forming and mobilising various subcommittees required for the Games, managing expenditure according to prescribed budgetary standards and overseeing the operation and management of the first Para National Games.
The main organising committee said the delegation was necessary to ensure that preparations could move forward efficiently.
Focus on public-private partnership
The meeting also decided to increase the participation of government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders in order to make the Games more effective.
It agreed to work with sponsors under a public-private partnership model and move forward with the necessary agreements and arrangements.
Officials informed the meeting that preparations were already underway through the executive committee, various subcommittees and a separate monitoring committee formed under the main organising committee.
The meeting also discussed further coordination between the federal and Karnali provincial governments to make preparations more systematic.
The main organising committee welcomed the government’s decision to hold the 10th National Games in Karnali and passed a resolution thanking the federal government.
The National Games are held every two years with the objective of identifying and developing sporting talent from the local level and expanding sports activities across the country.
The meeting concluded that close coordination and cooperation among government agencies, security bodies, sports associations, the private sector and other stakeholders would be essential for the successful organisation of the Games in Karnali.
