SAG inauguration will be grand: Sports Minister

KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Minister for Youth and Sports Jagat Bahadur Bishwakarma said the inauguration of the 13 South Asian Games (SAG) will be held in a grand manner. The inauguration and closing ceremony of the SAG are being hosted by the Dasharath Stadium.

“All the preparations for the inauguration of the SA Games are in the final phase. The Dasharath Stadium is being decorated. The stadium is almost ready,” said Minister Bishwakarma during a face-to-face interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Thursday.

“The inauguration will be grand,” he added.

According to Bishwakarma, the Games will be inaugurated by President Bidya Devi Bhandari at 5 pm on Dec 1.

Bishwokarma further shared that the security bodies of the country have made necessary security arrangements to make the SAG organized, secured and historic.

A SAG Security Coordination Committee comprising of Nepal Army Brigadier General Himansu Khadka, Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police Deepak Kumar Thapa, DIG of Armed Police Force Chandra Prasad Gautam, National Investigation Department Director Laxman Gurung and National Sports Council representatives Saraswati KC and Khagendra Paudel have been formed to ensure top security in view of the upcoming SAG.

700 traffic police, 10,000 police personnel, 5,000 security personnel Armed Police Force and 3,000 armies will be deployed during the 10-day mega sporting event.

Although official inauguration the Games–which will be held in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur– is two days away, the government has yet to make ready the infrastructures in various venues.

The renovation work at the Dasharath Stadium is still underway while the construction works at the wrestling covered hall in Janakpurdham, new swimming complex in Satdobato and Pokhara stadium has not been completed yet.

More than 2,900 players from seven SAARC-member countries are participating in 26 sporting disciplines in the Games.