Protection, maintenance the biggest challenges: Oli

Nepalgunj, April 21

Province-5 got a massive infrastructure for the eighth National Games with the budget of Rs 1.25 billion and most of them are in the final stage of completion.

Nepalgunj Stadium, previously known as Mahendra Stadium, got a facelift with VIP parapet imported from China, while the city also got new facilities for volleyball, shooting, swimming, weightlifting and judo.

Likewise, international-standard cricket stadium got underway in Kohalpur and another cricket ground has been prepared in Lamahi. Synthetic track was laid at Beljhundi Stadium in Dang, which also got basketball court in Ghorahi and covered hall in Lamahi.

Likewise, covered halls were built for kabaddi (Bansgadhi), kho-kho (Bhurigaon) and sepak takraw (Gulariya) in Bardiya. Athletics clay track was also prepared in Gulariya but that was not used for the National Games.

An international-standard facility has been built for lawn tennis in Rupandehi, while wrestling ground was prepared in Kapilvastu.

“We got these sporting infrastructure in Province-5, thanks to the eighth National Games,” said Bhim Oli, President of Province-5 National Sports Council. “We would not have even dreamt of all these facilities in our region in the next 50 years,” he added. “We are really grateful to the government and NSC for investing such a huge amount for sporting facilities,” said Oli, who ran Mission Eighth campaign since receiving the National Games flag two years ago in Eastern Region.

But Oli was concerned over the protection and maintenance of the facilities after the National Games. “We spent so much money to prepare the facilities but I am really worried about the future of these infrastructures.

Keeping all these infrastructures in shape for future will be the biggest challenge for Province-5 NSC and this is a serious issue as we do not have proper mechanism to keep all these infrastructures intact,” added Oli, who is retiring from the post after three months.

“The locals here are excited after the construction of the facilities and they have already started to raise voice for the protection. A new team will assume the office and the officials should be able to work towards maintaining these venues properly,” added Oli. “In the absence of security staff and maintenance workers, these facilities have high chances to turn into cattle fields and cow sheds,” said Oli.