Government Allocates Record Budget for Youth and Sports Development

The government has allocated a record-high budget of Rs 6.08 billion for the youth and sports sector for the fiscal year 2082/83. Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel announced the budget during the presentation of the annual financial plan, highlighting a strong push towards infrastructure development and athlete support.

This year’s budget is Rs 258 million higher than last year’s Rs 5.8 billion, making it the largest allocation ever for the sector. The government plans to invest in sports infrastructure across the country, with a focus on professional development of athletes and increasing private sector participation in sports projects.

A major project includes the construction of an international-level stadium in Damak, Jhapa, which will be capable of hosting all types of sporting events. Similarly, high-altitude sports stadiums will be built in Solukhumbu, Mustang, and other Himalayan districts.

In the field of cricket, Rs 400 million has been allocated to upgrade the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Additional funds totalling Rs 420 million will be used to improve cricket grounds in Mulpani, Fapla, Siddhartha, and Biratnagar. Meanwhile, the government has arranged a conditional grant for the purchase of property at the under-construction Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan.

To support national events, Rs 540 million has been allocated to organize the 10th National Games in Birendranagar, Surkhet.

Tanka Lal Ghising, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC), expressed optimism about the new budget. “It’s a positive and motivating budget. We hope it will uplift Nepal’s sports sector,” he said in a brief comment.