Less Than One Percent of Total Budget Allocated, Focus Solely on Infrastructure in Sports Sector
This time, NPR 403 million has been allocated for the sports sector, which is less than one percent of the total budget.
May 29, Kathmandu – In the budget presented by the government for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27), no funds have been allocated for the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground. The previous government had approved a master plan for the TU Cricket Ground.
However, the current administration led by Mayor Balendra Shah has not prioritized this project. Instead, the government announced the construction of new stadiums through the budget.
The majority of the budget for the sports sector is concentrated on infrastructure development. Plans include building modern cricket stadiums in eight cities and upgrading ten football stadiums, with a timeline of three to five years.
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle declared in his budget speech the plan to construct modern cricket stadiums in eight major cities within five years. The designs for the construction of the Mulapani Cricket Stadium, Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium, and Fapla Cricket Stadium in Kailali will be reviewed and investment modalities prepared.
In the current fiscal year, NPR 420 million had been allocated for building these three stadiums along with the Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Rupandehi, but the current government has initiated design reviews.
The government has also allocated budget to build indoor multi-purpose covered halls with a three-year deadline. The plan is to construct covered halls with a minimum capacity of 2,000 spectators in Viratnagar, Lahan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet, and Fapla in Dhangadhi.
Linking sports infrastructure to youth development and the local economy, the policy includes upgrading ten football stadiums with floodlights, each having a capacity of 8,000 spectators within the next three years, as announced by Finance Minister Wagle.
Moreover, the government has allocated funds for infrastructure required for the 11th National Sports Games, prioritizing cricket and football. However, there appears to be no significant attention to national volleyball infrastructure.
Among the new initiatives presented by the government is a plan to provide free healthcare to international medal-winning athletes and offer residential training starting from the grassroots level.
The government also intends to provide lifetime free healthcare to athletes, allowing them a dignified life post-retirement. Previously, medalists were promised stipends, but the current administration is focusing on free medical care.
To promote sports development from the grassroots, there is a plan to select and provide residential training in schools to students interested in sports starting from the basic level.
Funds have also been allocated for the 10th National Sports Games, scheduled to be held in December 2081 (mid-March 2025). However, despite budget allocations in the past, the competitions have not been organized.
Although there is a claim to advance sports in partnership with the private sector, the current policy does not include programs involving private sector participation.
This time, only NPR 403 million has been allocated to the sports sector, which is less than one percent of the total budget.
In the previous fiscal year, NPR 680 million had been allocated for youth and sports.