Attempt to Host Night Football Tournament at Pokhara Stadium Fails Due to Insufficient Lighting

Gandaki. The attempt to host the 25th edition of the Aaha! Rara Pokhara Gold Cup Football Tournament, held at the Pokhara Stadium from Magh 27 to Falgun 9, under night conditions was unsuccessful. Although the opening match was conducted using temporary 'floodlights', the rest of the tournament had to be rescheduled for daytime due to inadequate lighting on the field.

The organizing Sahara Club Pokhara believes that this effort, which aimed to provide a night football experience in Pokhara for the first time, has put positive pressure on the relevant authorities to install 'floodlights' at the international-standard Pokhara Stadium.

“We tried to host the football tournament at night, but since it was the first time, there were some technical issues; players and spectators complained about the lack of light,” said Keshab Bahadur Thapa, the club's chairman. “The effort by a private club to operate the tournament even temporarily with floodlights is significant in itself; we feel this has put positive pressure on the relevant state bodies.”

He stated that 'floodlights' are mandatory for operating international-level tournaments at the Pokhara Stadium. The plan to install 'floodlights' at the stadium, built at a significant expense, has yet to be implemented. Then Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Energy, Kulman Ghising, had also committed to advancing the plan for 'floodlight' installation during his inspection of the stadium last Mangsir.

“The demand for floodlight installation at Pokhara Stadium has been raised repeatedly, but it has not been installed yet, citing various reasons,” said Sahara Club Chairman Thapa. “Let's hope the new government brings a plan and budget for floodlights.”

Chairman Thapa mentioned that the centralized mindset in the sports sector has prevented expected improvements in sports infrastructure outside the capital. He noted that night sports activities cannot be conducted in Pokhara due to the absence of 'floodlights'.

The regulations of the International Football Federation (FIFA) also mandate 'floodlights' for a stadium to receive recognition. Sports officials consider it unfortunate that the stadium, with a capacity of 16,500 spectators, lacks 'floodlights'. The Western Regional Sports Development Committee stated that the 'floodlight' installation could not proceed due to a lack of budget. The estimated cost for the 'floodlights' is around 12 crore rupees.

The five crore budget previously allocated by the National Sports Council for 'floodlights' a few years ago was returned because work could not proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Voices have been raised in the sports sector for collaboration between the federal and provincial governments for the operation and management of this stadium, the largest and best-equipped in the country. Concern is often expressed that the utility of the Pokhara Stadium is diminished because it lacks 'floodlights' despite being international standard. International-standard infrastructure, including floodlights, is necessary for hosting international competitions. It is noted that if night tournaments could be held in Pokhara, the state would benefit from the stadium, and the local economy would also be stimulated as sports activities increase.

Holding sports competitions in the evening and at night would allow employed and working individuals to benefit from sports. Dinanath Baral, former chairman of the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum Gandaki, stated that 'floodlights' are essential at the stadium not only for tournaments but also for night practice sessions. He added that despite this issue being raised, the relevant state sports bodies tend to ignore it.

The commitment made by the National Sports Council to install lights before the 9th National Games held in Pokhara three years ago was also not fulfilled at that time. The Pokhara Stadium was constructed six years ago with an investment of 1.28 billion rupees. While it currently has a capacity of 16,500 spectators, the government plans to increase it to 20,000.