National Sports Council (NSC) is all set to organize the Sixth National Games from February 26 to March 4, 2012 in Mahendranagar and Dhangadhi with the slogan “Sports for Health; Sports for Nation”.

District level competitions are schedule on November 17 and end on December 15 in the calendar of the Sixth National Games and regional level competitions among the top teams and the winners of the district level competitions are scheduled to be held from January 15 to 29. Selected players to represent their region will undergo closed camp training from February 16 to 22 and finally compete in the national games.

Teams from College and University will be introduced as a new departmental team along with Nepal Police, Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Army and PLA Club of Maoists combatants. Nepal Army had stay away from the events participated by the PLA Club players during the Fifth National Games held in Kathmandu three years ago.

“I think there will be no such controversy this time around since the government has taken a policy level decision,” mentioned Yuvaraj Lama, the member secretary of the NSC.

NSC has demanded Rs 268.2 million for conducting the National Games in the far-western region.  “We have asked Rs 48.8 million for the maintenance of grounds, track and the stand at different venues while Rs 219.4 million is for conducting the tournament itself. We have already received Rs 130 million and the government has assured that it would provide the remaining amount,” said Lama.

“As youth and sports minister, I´ve talked to the finance minister and he has asked us to go ahead,” said Kamala Roka, minster for youth and sports.

Besides Rs 268.2million, NSC has demanded Rs 320 million with the government for the development of sports-infrastructure in the far western region.

The Sixth National Games will feature all together 31 games. Athletics, football, women’s volleyball, lawn tennis, handball, judo, Kabaddi (men), boxing, karate, badminton, basketball (men/women), gymnastics and cycling will be organized in Dhangadi of Kailali.

Similarly, 12 games including cricket (men/women), hockey, chess, archery, weight lifting, bodybuilding, wrestling, kabaddi (women), wushu, taekwondo, table tennis (men/women), football, volleyball (men) would be played in Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur and some outdoor games will be organized in Nepalgunj, Kathmandu and Birgunj due to lack of infrastructures in the two districts.

Lama informed journalists that swimming, squash, golf, full contact (karate) and shooting events would be held outside the Far-west Region.

Logo for Sixth National Games has already been unveiled and is designed by artist Jeevan Rajopadhyay.. The logo was selected among the ones submitted by 18 artists.

A selection team headed by NSC senior officer Kamal Khanal selected the logo. Rajophadhyay will receive a cash reward of Rs 40,000 from NSC for the logo.

The logo for the sixth national games carries symbols representing nationalism, peace, Olympic colors, athletes, five development regions and Deuda, the famous dance of far-west, chief selector Khanal said.