By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – The government has increased budget for sports sector for the upcoming fiscal year. Presenting the budget in the joint session of parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister announced a budget of Rs 2.46 billion for the sports sector.
The budget allocated for the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the current fiscal year is Rs 2.36 billion.
The government has allocated budget for public private partnership for promoting adventure and mountaineering sports tourism and for infrastructure development in this regard. The government has also allocated budget for operating a high-altitude training centre in Jumla. During the presentation of budget, Finance Minister Sharma also announced that the construction of the Mulpani Cricket Stadium will be completed in the upcoming fiscal year.
Likewise, the government has allocated budget to upgrade the TU Cricket Ground for organizing night-time matches at the only international-standard cricket stadium of Nepal. It means that budget has been allocated for setting up flood lights at the cricket ground.
Similarly, the budget has made arrangements to complete the construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan in collaboration with the provincial and local governments.
The government has allocated budget to organize the Ninth National Games. The budget also mentions that funds have been allocated for the construction of infrastructure for the 10th National Games. Finance Minister Sharma announced that Rs 870 million has been allocated for infrastructure development.
During the budget announcement, the finance minister also said that the government will initiate 20-year master plan for sports development. Also arrangements has been made to increase the grants and facilities for sports associations. The government is also planning to provide life-long allowance on a monthly basis to the players who secure medals in Asian Games and Olympics.
