Children call for greater investment in sports infrastructure in Kailali

Tikapur: Children in Kailali have called for increased investment in the construction of infrastructure such as playgrounds and children’s parks.

They have urged local authorities to prioritize the development of spaces where children can play and learn, stating that the lack of such facilities outside school hours is leading some children toward negative activities.

Ayusha Sanyal from Ghodaghodi Ward No. 2 said that organized playgrounds should be built in every ward and children’s parks established for younger children. She stressed that such initiatives would help protect children from drugs, child marriage and the misuse of social media. “Children are getting caught up in the misuse of technology,” she said, adding that proper planning is needed to keep children engaged after school hours.

Hema Neupane, president of the Ghodaghodi Municipal Children’s Club and a district-level taekwondo player, said that children also need special encouragement in their studies. She secured second place in the Kailali district taekwondo competition last year.

“On the one hand, there is not enough sports environment, so children who are doing well in sports should be provided with scholarships and a supportive study environment,” she said. “Diligence is not limited to studies; it can also be seen in sports, music or other fields.”

Hema said she did not receive a scholarship despite applying for one at her school. She added that success in sports boosts confidence and develops leadership and speaking skills. She emphasized the need to increase extracurricular activities in schools and regularly raise awareness about drug abuse.

Amit Chaudhary of Ghodaghodi-3, Judpani, suggested that the municipality should conduct transformation classes in every community to raise awareness among children and parents. He said that participating in such classes organized by the Child Welfare Association had positively influenced his behavior, increased his interest in learning and helped him avoid negative paths.

Children have also expressed concern that child marriage is increasing due to a lack of awareness about right and wrong. Sharmila Rokka of Ghodaghodi-5 called for increased investment in children to achieve the government’s goal of creating child-friendly local governments. She said that while results may not be immediate, long-term planning focused on children’s future would contribute to a better society, including efforts to reduce child marriage alongside education and nutrition.

Susmata Bhandari called for increased extracurricular activities in schools and the expansion of scouting programs. Indu Joshi, head of the Women and Children Section, said that the municipality plans to establish a children’s fund, form children’s and adolescent girls’ networks, and focus on capacity development this year.

Khagendra Singh, education officer of Ghodaghodi Municipality, said that extracurricular activities are being emphasized to improve education. He noted that 32 female teachers and 34 male teachers have been trained in scouting and deployed in schools, making Ghodaghodi the first municipality in Nepal to introduce scouting education. He added that such activities promote positive behavior and that psychological support for children is also being prioritized.

According to Singh, schools are being made more child-friendly by expanding facilities such as playgrounds, sports equipment, toilets, sanitary pads and rest rooms. Deputy Mayor Guliya Kumari Chaudhary said that ongoing efforts through the education, women and children, and health sectors aim to protect adolescents from negative influences.

Mayor Khadak Rawat said that efforts are underway to advance children in Ghodaghodi in areas such as education, sports, music and literature. He stated that Ghodaghodi has achieved strong SEE results among the 13 municipalities in Kailali and continues to perform well in community school outcomes, with ongoing efforts to improve in other sectors including sports.