9th National Games concludes

The national game events were concluded on Thursday at the Pokhara stadium amidst a grand function with cultural programmes, processions, marches and others, which was attended by thousands of people at Pokhara Stadium.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba participated in the concluding event. On the occasion, he said that Nepali athletes have an important role to boost sports despite limited resources. They had elevated the country’s image with excellent performance in the national and international arena. Sports have a noticeable role in a country, he said, adding that investment from the government and private sector in sports is imperative. Creation of infrastructures at the local and provincial level is equally important, PM Deuba said.

Chief guest of the closing ceremony PM Deuba handed over the champion trophy to the Nepal Army. He handed over the trophy to the officials of Tribhuvan Army Club. The Nepal Army is also the champion team of the previous 7th and 8th national games.

He also paid tributes to paraglide player Nimish Thapa who lost his life in course of paragliding under the 9th National Games and extended condolences to the bereaved family members.

Over 6,000 players took part in 36 sports in eight districts of the Gandaki province during the ninth games. Tribhuvan Army Club of Nepali Army topped the medal tally with 172 gold medals and became the champion of the tournament. The army won 371 medals including 172 gold, 110 silver and 89 bronze in 36 games. In the last seventh and eighth national games too, the same team emerged as the champions.

Likewise, the APF club of Armed Police won 219 medals including 65 gold, 72 silver and 82 bronze to finish second in the national tournament.

Nepal Police came third with a total of 195 medals including 61 gold, 61 bronze and 73 silver medals. The host Gandaki Province came fourth in the tournament and the first among the seven provinces.

Gandaki is fourth overall with 120 medals including 32 gold, 31 silver and 57 bronze medals. Likewise, Bagmati Province finished fifth with 145 medals including 24 gold, 47 silver and 74 bronze medals.

In the event, Province No. 1 came sixth with 10 gold, 23 silver and 50 bronze medals. Sudurpaschim Province managed to win 63 medals including 10 gold, 10 silver and 43 bronze medals to finish seventh.

The NRNA won a total of 26 medals including 10 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals while Lumbini won 68 medals including six gold, 22 silver and 40 bronze. Madhesh province won 39 medals including five gold, eight silver and 26 bronze while Karnali province won 18 medals including two gold, four silver and 12 bronze medals.

10th National Games will be held in Karnali

The 115th board meeting of the National Sports Council had decided to hold the next edition of the event in Karnali after two years. The province has got the responsibility to organise the 10th National Games from November 17 to 24, 2024.