Limited Emphasis on Sports in Government’s Policy and Program

The government has included sports under only one point in its comprehensive 100-point policy and program. Although Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel has proposed plans to incorporate sports into the school curriculum, this has not been reflected in the current policy and program. The government has declared its intention to link sports with national unity, health, tourism, and the economy. While the policy outlines provisions to ensure social security for athletes, these have yet to be implemented.

Kathmandu, 28 Baisakh – One of the recurring issues emphasized by Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel has been the inclusion of sports in the school curriculum. Despite expressing a policy and legal commitment to integrate sports with education, the government appears to have failed in incorporating this into the policy and program presented for the upcoming fiscal year. Also serving as Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Pokharel has announced plans to integrate sports into school curricula for the development of Nepal’s sports sector.

However, the policy and program presented by President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday did not include measures to connect sports with education. Instead, the government has proclaimed that sports will be linked with national unity, health, tourism, and the economy. The policy plans to operate talent identification programs starting at the school level. Additionally, it includes provisions for the professionalization of the sports sector, engagement of the private sector, and arrangements for athletes’ social security.

After the formation of the new government, the Administrative Reform Committee was unable to include sports in its 100-point agenda, and the Balendra-led government also seemed to give limited priority to sports in its policy and program.