Tenth National Games Uncertain Amidst Delays

Kathmandu. The biggest domestic competition in Nepali sports, the Tenth National Games, is still uncertain. Although the date of the competition has been set multiple times, it has been postponed for various reasons. 

This has caused confusion for players, coaches, provincial sports councils, and national sports associations. Despite the infrastructure being ready, players and organizing committees are disappointed, and sports activities have come to a standstill. 

The 20th Asian Games (Asiad) are scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. As the National Games are held before the Asian Games, many players would have had the opportunity to use it as practice, but unfortunately, that could not happen. 

The National Sports Council (NSC) and concerned bodies have set the date for the Tenth National Games four times so far. However, the competition has been postponed each time for one reason or another. Initially, it was planned to be held in 2081 BS. Subsequently, new schedules were released in various phases. Although the 123rd board meeting of the NSC decided to hold the competition in Baisakh 2083 BS, that date could not be implemented due to the lack of necessary preparations. The new date for the competition has not been officially announced yet. 

On Asar 6, the Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmita Pokharel, inspected the under-construction provincial stadium in Karnali Province. Minister Pokharel, who reached Surkhet to understand the preparation status of the Tenth National Games, stated that the government is committed to completing the National Games on time. He also informed that the government plans to announce the official date of the competition soon. However, more than a month has passed since Minister Pokharel spoke, and the government has not yet set a date. 

Education and Sports Minister Pokharel in Surkhet: Monitoring from Stadium to University

During the inspection, the Member Secretary of the Karnali Province Sports Development Council, Rabindra Chand, provided Minister Pokharel with detailed information about the progress of the stadium construction, the condition of the physical infrastructure, and the challenges encountered during preparation. After observing the stadium, Minister Pokharel admitted the lack of sports infrastructure in Karnali Province. 

Minister Pokharel stated that since Karnali has received the opportunity to host a prestigious competition like the National Games for the first time, there will be a coordinating role between the central and provincial governments to make it successful. 

Why couldn't the competition be held? 

Several reasons have been identified for the competition not being held. The main reasons include the delay in the completion of infrastructure construction in Karnali Province, the host province, delays in budget management, lack of coordination between the center and the province, and insufficient administrative preparation for conducting the competition. 

Officials have stated that the competition had to be postponed because some sports infrastructures being built in Karnali are not yet fully operational. The management of international standard grounds and accommodation required for some sports has also emerged as a challenge. 

Players' Preparation Affected 

Players who have been training for a long time with the National Games as their goal have been the most affected. Coaches say that the repeated changes in the competition dates have directly impacted training schedules, selection competitions, and player performance. 

Some players have complained that the uncertainty about when the competition will be held makes it difficult to maintain regular training. The repeated postponement of the Tenth National Games, the country's largest multi-sport event, has begun to have a direct impact on players, coaches, and the province's sports infrastructure. After the competition date was set four times, players have been in a state of uncertainty for a long time due to various reasons. 

Although the National Games are supposed to be held every two years, sports personalities say that the delay in the tenth edition has affected the preparation, performance, and future of the players. Players who have been undergoing regular training for months with the competition as their goal are now struggling to maintain the continuity of their practice. 

According to the players, the lack of competition has disrupted their competitive rhythm. They say that the absence of regular competition leads to a decline in performance, new talents miss the opportunity to showcase their abilities, and the selection for the national team is also affected. 

The National Games are considered an important basis for players to enter the national team through excellent performance. However, with the competition not being held, many players have lost the opportunity to prove their abilities. Sports associations have stated that this has also made the selection process for international competitions challenging. 

Many provinces had conducted closed training sessions for the Tenth National Games. With the postponement of the competition, some training programs have been halted, while some players are forced to continue practicing at their own expense. This has put financially weaker players in further difficulty. 

Players have also lost out on daily allowances, incentives, and other performance-based opportunities due to the non-holding of the competition. For some players, such competitions are also a means to secure employment, scholarships, and institutional opportunities, so the delay has also affected their professional careers. 

The annual plans, training programs, and budgets prepared by the Provincial Sports Development Councils and various associations with the competition in focus have also been affected. The utilization of sports infrastructure has decreased, and sports activities have also slowed down. 

The repeated postponement of a major competition like the National Games is not a good sign for Nepali sports. It demoralizes players, reduces interest in sports, and poses challenges in retaining the new generation in sports. 

Although the date for the Tenth National Games has been set four times so far, the competition has been postponed citing reasons related to infrastructure construction, necessary preparations, and management. There is still no clarity on when the competition will be held. 

Players and stakeholders have demanded that the government and concerned bodies organize the competition with a definite schedule without further delay. They believe that only if the National Games are held on time will the morale of the players be maintained, new talents get opportunities, and the overall development of sports in Nepal gain momentum. 

Associations Also in Uncertainty 

National sports associations are also facing problems with selection competitions, training camps, and budget management. The associations say that their annual action plans have been affected due to the lack of a definite competition date. Provincial sports councils have also stated that they have had to keep the player selection process open for a long time, which has added to the extra financial burden. 

When Now? 

Although the NSC has reiterated its commitment to hosting the competition, it has not yet announced a new date. It is said that a new date will be announced only after the necessary infrastructure, accommodation, and management preparations in Karnali are completed. 

However, stakeholders in the sports sector are demanding that a clear schedule be published without further delay. According to them, the risk of a negative impact on player development, national team preparation, and the overall development process of Nepali sports is increasing due to the National Games not being held on time. 

The Karnali government had prepared to host 24 out of 35 sports of the National Games in Karnali. Among these, the provincial government plans to host football and 16 other sports at the provincial stadium, which can accommodate about 10,000 spectators. The provincial government has also made preparations to host some sports at the hockey field in Humla and at the covered halls in Dailekh, Kalikot, Jumla, Rukum West, and Salyan.