RSP Lawmaker Calls for Radical Overhaul of Nepal's Sports Sector, Proposes Autonomous Ministry

Kathmandu. Achyut Lal Lamichhane, a Member of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has emphasized the need for a radical transformation in the traditional approach to the sports sector in Nepal. During a meeting with officials of the National Sports Council and sports personalities, he proposed separating the Ministry of Sports from other ministries and making it fully autonomous.

He argued that since sports activities begin from birth, sports should be given higher priority than education. MP Lamichhane also committed to taking special initiatives with the Prime Minister and party chairman to establish the Ministry of Sports as a separate and powerful entity.

Sharing his study experience in South Korea, he stressed the necessity of establishing a government-level autonomous sports university in Nepal. While expressing the view that the Nepal Academy of Sports Science in Satdobato should be made more scientific and research-oriented, he stated that sports should not be viewed merely as entertainment but advanced through scientific methods.

During his address, he stated that since people engage in sports activities first after birth and only then pursue formal education, the principle of 'Sports Before Education' should be established. Recalling his PhD studies at Yongin University in South Korea, he lamented that while a single university won 28 medals in the Asian Games, Nepal had only one medal to its name.

He clarified that the development of this sector cannot gain momentum until a separate sports university is established in the country. He mentioned that although there was a temporary distance from the sports sector after entering politics, his heart always remained with sports.

It is the state's duty to leave no stone unturned for the development of players' performance and capacity, he stated. He assured that he would continuously work to elevate the standard of sports in coordination with the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports in the coming days.

Lamichhane, who worked as a sports expert for a long time, expressed constant fear that the sports sector might be sidelined and called upon all sports personnel to unite for its upliftment.