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Kathmandu, The 9th National Games to be organized in Gandaki Province rescheduled for October 14-20 due to insufficient time. The biggest sports carnival in the nation had been fixed for June 5-11 earlier. 

Minister for Youth and Sports Maheshwor Jung Gahatraj (Athak) on Tuesday confirmed the postponement of the games. Addressing the press meeting organized at his office in Singhadurbar, Gahatraj informed the cabinet meeting decided to reschedule the sport's mega-event to mid-October. 

"There was not sufficient time to prepare for the National Games. There was not enough duration for budget implementation. We had tried to organize the event from the fast track. Still, we do not have enough time when comply with the Public Procurement Act. 

“Moreover, host Gandaki Province also asked for more time for preparation. The local level election and the examinations of Class 11 and 12 also forced the event to be postponed.” Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry Dr Damador Regmi, Vice-president of National Sports Council (NSC) Shiva Koirala and Member Secretary of NSC Tanka Lal Ghishing were also present during the press meet.

The 9th edition of the National Games will be featuring 36 sports. They are Athletics, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Boxing, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Kabaddi, Weightlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Handball, Judo, Wrestling, Soft Tennis, Squash, Taekwondo, Wushu, Basketball, Physical Fitness, Chess, Kho-Kho, Karate, Full Contact Karate, ITF Taekwondo, Sepaktakro, Golf, Archery, Cycling, Fencing, Triathlon and Paragliding. The Telo and Canoeing will also be featured in the Games as exhibition sports. 

The logo, muscat and slogan of the 9th National Games had already been made public. The logo made up of the National flag, Mt. Machhapuchhre and various colours representing Nepal. The endangered musk deer, a symbol of Gandaki, is used as muscat. 

‘United country, a message of Sports’ is the slogan of the event.