Far-western Region´s attempts to host the Fifth National Games in 2057 BS and the Sixth National Games in 2067 BS had failed because of inadequate infrastructure. [break]
"I announce the start of the Sixth National Games," announced President Ram Baran Yadav. The president gave his best wishes for the success of the Games. "Maintain your discipline during the Games," said President Yadav.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai hoisted the Sixth National Games´ flag during the opening ceremony. "The least developed Far-western Region has proven that they can successfully host the Sixth National Games despite a very short time for preparation," said PM Bhattarai, addressing the opening ceremony attended by around 7,000 audiences.
The PM instructed National Sports Council to provide training facility to the best athletes of the Sixth National Games and to make it useful for the upcoming South Asian Games.
"The government will try its best to help players live a decent life and I reques the private sector to chip in," said Bhattarai.
Olympian Deepak Bista lit the Games torch in the opening ceremony. A group of Nepali Olympians led by veteran athlete Jeet Bahadur KC had brought the torch to Dhangadhi Stadium from Lumbini. Olympian Krishna Basnet, Raj Kumari Pandey, Bimala Rana Magar, Hari Bahadur Rokaya, Bishnu Bahadur Singh and Dambar Dutta Bhatta had participated in the torch relay from Lumbini to Dhangadhi Stadium. The group of Olympian handed over the torch to NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama who in turn handed it over to Bista.
Nepali national volleyball captain Bharat Bahadur Shah, who plays for the Nepal Police, took oath on behalf of all participating athletes while weightlifting judge Thakkar Bahadur Bam took oath on behalf of the all referees and judges.
All the participating athletes and judges marched past at the beginning of the opening ceremony along with the Games mascot Bahrasinghe (antelope).
Armed Police Force personnel and students from 17 different schools performed during the opening ceremony. The performances highlighted different cultures of the Far-western Region.
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