Record budget allocation of over Rs 6 billion for youth and sports sector

KATHMANDU, MAY 29:  A record-high budget has been allocated to the youth and sports sector in Nepal. For the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has earmarked NPR 6.08 billion for this sector.

This marks an increase of NPR 258 million compared to the current fiscal year 2024/25, which had a budget allocation of NPR 3.5 billion. Previously, the highest budget allocation for the sector was NPR 3.99 billion in FY 2019/20.

Minister Poudel emphasized that investment in sports infrastructure and the professional development of athletes will be gradually increased. He also mentioned efforts to attract private sector investment in sports infrastructure.

Key infrastructure initiatives include the construction of an international-standard, multi-sport stadium in Damak, Jhapa, and the development of high-altitude sports stadiums in Himalayan districts such as Solukhumbu and Mustang.

Additionally, NPR 400 million has been allocated for the upgrading of the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. A total of NPR 420 million has been earmarked for upgrading other cricket grounds, including the Mulpani, Fapla, Siddhartha, and Girija Prasad Koirala cricket stadiums.

Conditional grants have been arranged for the acquisition of assets created for the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan. Likewise, NPR 540 million has been allocated for hosting the 10th National Games in Birendranagar, Surkhet.