KATHMANDU, May 30: The proposed budget for the sports sector in the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 exceeds both the planned programs and the ceiling set for the departmental ministry.
The government allocated Rs 6.8 billion to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the next fiscal year. This allocation significantly increases the ministry’s budget compared to previous years. However, because the budget increase far surpasses the ministry’s ceiling and proposed programs, concerns have arisen about whether the funds will be effectively implemented.
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel generated some enthusiasm when he announced the budget for the youth and sports sector on Thursday. However, questions have arisen about whether the government will fully implement this budget. Previously, the sports sector received large budget allocations but failed to spend the funds effectively. Moreover, most of this year's programs have not been proposed by the concerned ministry or the National Sports Council (NSC), the executive body of Nepali sports.
The budget increase also reflects the inclusion of programs such as the 10th National Sports Games, which could not be completed last year, and the upgrading of the TU Cricket Ground, currently under construction by the Ministry of Urban Development. The government had allocated Rs 3.50 billion for the sector in the previous fiscal year.
The government increased this year's budget by Rs 2.58 billion compared to the previous fiscal year. Several factors caused this rise. One major reason is that leaders and members of parliament pushed for unplanned construction of sports infrastructure focused mainly on their constituencies and mostly for the same types of sports. Martial arts have brought Nepal the most historic successes among all sports.
People widely play volleyball and football across Nepal, but the country lacks a proper international-standard stadium or covered hall for these sports. The budget does not include programs to build a quality stadium or a multipurpose covered hall for football. At a time when players struggle to make a living, more athletes are migrating abroad. The budget also fails to introduce special programs to stop this trend.
Same old plans and limited budget for sports
Therefore, although the government increased the budget, it does not qualify as substantial or high quality. Another specific reason for the budget increase is the Ministry of Finance's rule that no event can receive less than NPR 30 million in allocation.
Several factors also drove the increase in the sports budget. The continuation of previous programs further raised the budget for the sports sector. The ministry allocates 80 percent of its total budget specifically to sports. However, this time, the budget allocation surpassed the ceiling and proposed programs, clearly prioritizing discretionary spending and projects centered on constituencies.
This year, the budget funds the 10th National Games, the Tribhuvan University cricket ground, the construction of a modern stadium in Damak, a high-altitude sports stadium, and the Mulpani cricket ground, among other sports infrastructure. The Ministry of Urban Development plans to spend Rs 400 million on the TU ground, which the sports budget includes.
The Ministry of Sports did not include these plans in its proposed programs. This time, the ministry submitted 91 projects, and a ministry official said that they allocated budgets to most of these projects. Nepal hosted the 19th South Asian Games (SAG) in 2019, and the government gave the sports sector its largest budget at that time.
However, officials never fully implemented that budget; they spent Rs 400 crore but froze Rs 1.20 billion. The ministry may face the same challenge this year. The Ministry of Sports set a budget ceiling of approximately Rs 3.20 billion this year. Although the ministry kept the budget proposal near this ceiling, it allocated a larger amount.
A ministry official explained that party leaders and members of parliament distributed projects, which caused the budget to exceed the ceiling. The ministry also allocated funds for sports infrastructure development in Mustang, Jhapa, and some other areas that the proposed plans did not include. Officials estimate that local governments will spend about Rs 4 billion and the central government about Rs 2 billion from the budget.
The government has designated Rs 820 million of the total sports budget for regular salaries and allowances. It has allocated Rs 540 million for the 10th National Games, Rs 400 million to upgrade the TU ground, and Rs 420 million to construct cricket stadiums, including the Mulpani Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu, Girija Prasad Koirala Stadium in Morang, Fapla Cricket Stadium in Kailali, and Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Rupandehi.
Most of these projects are old and focus on the constituencies of several leaders. The government had already allocated Rs 600 million for the 10th National Games in the previous fiscal year, and it continued funding this year's ceiling, though with some cuts. A ministry official said the current budget might include around Rs 350 million for other new programs. However, Tank Lal Ghising, member secretary of the National Sports Council (RANOC), views the budget increase as a positive development for Nepali sports. He believes that if all stakeholders and various bodies cooperate to implement this budget, sports will make significant progress.
RANOC Member Secretary Ghising said, "The budget encourages us. Once we implement it, Nepali sports will make a big leap forward. The budget prioritizes programs at the local, provincial, and central levels. All parties must collaborate to ensure its implementation."
The government increased the budget to boost investment in sports infrastructure development and professionalize athletes. It also plans to attract private sector investment in sports infrastructure. The government promises to continuously conduct training and competitions to build high morale among athletes who believe, 'I can win.' It confidently expects to produce athletes for national and international levels and to promote sports competitions.
Deepak Shrestha, President of the National and International Players Association, emphasized that the real concern lies not in the size of the budget but in the types of programs it includes, where the funding comes from, how it is allocated, and whether the government will fully implement it. He said, "This kind of budget is a positive step. It brings hope and excitement. But we have seen similar budgets in the past that the government failed to implement effectively."
He added, "The government has announced a large budget again this year, but spending it effectively may still be a challenge." The budget also outlines the government's plan to build a major stadium in Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's home district. It states that the government will construct an international-standard stadium in Damak, Jhapa, capable of hosting all types of sports competitions.
The current government plans to construct high-altitude sports stadiums in Solukhumbu, Mustang, and Jumla to diversify sports disciplines and promote sports tourism. It has also arranged a conditional grant to purchase the developed property of the Gautam Buddha Cricket Stadium in Chitwan.
The government will allocate the necessary budget to operate the National Anti-Doping Agency. It will continue awarding cash prizes to Nepali athletes who win medals in international competitions. By providing educational scholarships to athletes and their children, the government aims to further boost their morale and enthusiasm.
However, the main concern is whether the government will implement these plans effectively. It has continued providing incentive allowances to athletes and coaches. To boost women's participation in sports, the government will launch training and practice programs specifically for women. The budget also sets aside special rewards for outstanding female athletes. Moreover, it allocates funds to run sports academies in at least three schools in each province.
