Oct 04, Kathmandu - Nepal’s 10th National Games will go ahead as scheduled, Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel said, seeking to end uncertainty after repeated postponements.

The Games are set to run from Mangsir 16 to 27 in Karnali Province. Speaking at a meeting of the event’s main organizing committee on Sunday, Pokharel said preparations—and the celebration surrounding the Games—had effectively begun.

“The competition starts on Mangsir 16, but after today’s meeting of the main organizing committee, the 10th National Games has begun today,” he said. “The competition starts on the 16th; the celebration starts today.”

Pokharel called for cooperation among federal, provincial and local governments, as well as other stakeholders, to make the event more effective than previous editions. He said the Games should be treated as a shared national program, rather than focusing only on the technical division between organizers and co-organizers.

He also urged organizers to make the Games a nationwide celebration and provide athletes from across Nepal with the opportunity to showcase their talent. Creating conditions that allow people to build a livelihood through sport, he said, was equally important.

Karnali Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi pledged the provincial government’s full support and urged the federal government to invest further in sports infrastructure. Provincial Economic Affairs and Planning Minister Tekraj Pachhai said the Games should be used as an opportunity for the province.

At the meeting, Nepal Police AIG Rajan Adhikari said security arrangements were a priority and that 16 terms of reference related to the event had been prepared. Birendranagar Mayor Mohan Maya Dhakal said the municipality was ready to fulfill its responsibilities.

The National Sports Council is the main organizer, with the Karnali Province Sports Development Council serving as co-organizer.