Pokhara, Aug 21: Floodlights are to be installed at the Pokhara Football Stadium. The National Sports Council has decided to start the work this year by allocating a budget of Rs 50 million.    

Work on the stadium, which began three years ago, is now in its final stage. The stadium being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.28 billion was initially not planned to have floodlights and scoreboards.    

Light is mandatory in the stadium for international level football competitions. Laxman Nath Yogi, office chief of the Regional Sports Development Committee, said that the work of installing floodlights would start this year after inviting bids as a budget of Rs 50 million has been allocated.

"According to FIFA rules, light is mandatory for international competitions."    

"The floodlights will pave the way for international friendly games and other competitions in the stadium," said President of District Football Association, Milan Gurung. The international football stadium is 90 per cent complete so far. A parapet with a capacity of 16,500 spectators is ready.    

Similarly, the roofing work on the parapet of VIP section has been completed. The re-construction of the football stadium in Pokhara, which was built four decades ago, was started after the parapet was damaged by the 2015 earthquake.