Sports sees repeated budget allocation for several projects
Repetition has been seen in the budget for cricket stadiums in Mulpani, Biratnagar and Kailali, alongside the 10th National Games in Karnali.Post File Photo
The government announced a Rs4.03 billion budget for the sports sector on Friday.
The budget speech for the fiscal year 2026-27 by Minister for Finance Swarnim Wagle in Parliament shows that several projects have been repeated in sports because they were left stranded in the past.
There were 12 points in the budget speech for 2025-26 under the topic ‘Youth and Sports’, with Rs6.08 billion allocated. There are six points under ‘sports’ for 2026-27.
“Ten football stadiums with a minimum capacity of 8,000 will be upgraded with floodlights in three years,” reads the first point of the budget for sports. “Modern cricket stadiums will be constructed in eight major cities.”
Similarly, the government has announced plans to construct indoor multi-purpose stadiums, with a minimum capacity to accommodate 2,000 audiences, in Biratnagar, Lahan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangadhi within three years.
The government also plans to make some necessary amendments to the investment modalities and designs of three major cricket facilities—the Mulpani Cricket Stadium and Academy, Kathmandu; the Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium, Morang; and the Fapla Cricket Stadium, Kailali.
Rs420 million was allocated for Mulpani, Girija Prasad Koirala Stadium, Fapla Stadium and Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Rupandehi in the previous fiscal year as well.
The previous budget had also allocated Rs540 million for the 10th National Games in Surkhet, Karnali. “I have allocated a budget for the 10th National Games in Surkhet,” Minister Wagle said on Friday. Funds have been set aside also to prepare infrastructure in Madhesh for the 11th National Games.
The 10th edition of the country’s biggest multi-sport event, which is organised biennially, was first scheduled for November 2024.
“The government will manage free health services and treatment for athletes who have won medals at international stages for the country,” reads the budget.
The government has also promised to arrange for residence and training for promising athletes through different selection events.
Nayak Paudel covers sports for The Kathmandu Post. He previously worked at the Post (2018–19) and spent over five years at The Rising Nepal. His reporting spans crime, health, education, and social issues.
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