Sports
The ninth National Games got underway amidst a colourful opening ceremony at the Pokhara Stadium in Pokhara on Thursday afternoon.
Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun inaugurated the Games, which have returned to the region 39 years after Pokhara played host to the second National Games in 1984.
Around 8,000 players, coaches and officials are participating in the largest gathering of Nepali sports.
Players representing 11 teams – seven provinces, three departmental teams Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, and Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) – will compete for 404 gold, 404 silver, and 600 bronze medals.
The Games came to life in a flourish of colour, dance and performance, all under the banner of the Games slogan 'United Nation, Message of Sports'.
The Games were officially proclaimed open by Minister for Youth and Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Council Maheshwarjung Gahatraj by hoisting the National Games flag.
The weeklong event features 36 sports competitions spread out among districts in Gandaki Province, except for Lamjung, Manang, and Mustang.
Although the event will officially begin on Friday, with the first gold medals already awarded. The men's cricket and fencing tournaments have already been completed. Similarly, women's cricket, handball, football and volleyball competitions have started.
(All photos: RSS)
