Sports Secretary Loknath Poudyal Highlights Weak Revenue Mobilization Due to Structural Weaknesses

Kathmandu. Sports Secretary Loknath Poudyal has stated that revenue mobilization in the sports sector is very weak due to structural weaknesses. Speaking at a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Public Governance Committee, he said that revenue mobilization is weak because issues such as legal structure, division of responsibilities, infrastructure conservation and promotion, arrangements related to international roles, and autonomy of associations and organizations have not been adequately addressed in the sports sector. According to Secretary Poudyal, the sports sector has not been able to become economically strong as expected because all these aspects have not been organized clearly and strongly. He mentioned that such challenges are common in developing countries and noted that even in neighboring India, the laws recently enacted have not been able to cover all aspects. Secretary Poudyal informed that a new policy will be introduced in the upcoming budget to connect sports with education, and the budget will be addressed accordingly. The ministry is preparing to advance policies and programs to develop sports as an integral part of education by including it in the school curriculum at the lower level from next year. Clarifying the legal ambiguity and future plans of the sports sector, Secretary Poudyal said, 'Due to the inability to adequately address all these issues such as legal structure, responsibilities, conservation and promotion of infrastructure, the roles we have to play at the international level, and the autonomy of associations and organizations, the area of revenue mobilization in the context of sports is a bit weak. In neighboring countries as well, such as in India, the recently enacted law has not been able to address all issues. This might be the problem of developing countries.' He added, 'The policy and programs will be formulated to develop sports as an integral part of education by making it a part of the curriculum at the lower level from next year. We have also addressed this issue in the policy accordingly. Regarding the program for the next year, I cannot speak much at the moment as there is still ambiguity. It is yet to be finalized.' Secretary Poudyal indicated that the budget and programs for the next year have not yet reached the final stage, and the ministry's structural situation has also changed, suggesting that an improving budget will come in the future. He stated that legal reforms are necessary to connect the sports sector not only with entertainment and competition but also with production and the economy.