December 27: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his commitment to develop sports tourism in the country.    
In his address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dahal said that the success achieved by Nepali athletes has laid the foundation for sports tourism in the country. This needs to be coupled with necessary infrastructure.    
"Nepali cricket players made it to the World Cup without a well-equipped sports ground. Now every possible effort will be made for proper preparation for the World Cup,” he said.    
Prime Minister Dahal also said that the cricket grounds of Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, in Mulpani of Kathmandu, the Phapla cricket ground in Kailali, and the cricket ground in Biratnagar and Gautam Buddha Cricket Stadium in Chitwan will be upgraded and developed as a project of national pride in coordination with all three levels of government.    
He also shared that 252 athletes who won medals in South Asian and Asian Games have been provided with monthly allowances, while the victorious cricket team members were honoured with cash prizes. "Along with these incentives, the government's focus is now on building sports infrastructure."    
The government will leave no stone unturned to achieve the potential of sports tourism by developing sports and sports infrastructure from the grassroots level. -- RSS