Jumla, July 13: The foundation stone for the Karnali High-Altitude Training Centre, an ambitious national sports project, has been laid at Lotchaur in Patarasi Rural Municipality–3, Jumla, one of the world’s highest-altitude settlements, located at the foothills of Patarasi Mountain.
The centre, which is being developed under the ownership of the Government of Nepal, is primarily intended to support athletes competing in endurance and long-distance running events, particularly those held in mountainous and hilly regions.
The foundation stone was jointly laid by former lawmaker and central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Binita Kathayat, and Gaurinanda Acharya, Chief of the District Coordination Committee.
The foundation-laying ceremony, held on Thursday at Lotchaur, was welcomed by local residents and athletes, who expressed optimism that the project would transform the area into a major centre for high-altitude sports training.
The training centre will be constructed at an altitude of 2,780 metres above sea level and will feature a modern stadium along with a range of sports infrastructure.
According to Kavidatta Neupane, Chief of the District Sports Development Committee, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) estimates the total project cost at Rs. 1.008 billion.
He said the first phase of construction, valued at Rs. 30 million, has already been awarded through a competitive tender process, and work has officially begun following the foundation-laying ceremony. The contract has been awarded to Diyom and Laxmi Construction Pvt. Ltd.
Prepared by Rara Engineering Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., the DPR proposes the construction of 21 modern facilities.
According to the consultancy’s Managing Director and engineer, Prabesh Acharya, the project will include a modern athletics stadium and sports ground, football ground and running trails, two entrance gates and ticket counters, public toilets, parking facilities for cars, motorcycles and athletes’ vehicles, a covered indoor hall, badminton court, separate hostels for male and female athletes, staff quarters, administrative building, and canteen and other supporting infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Binita Kathayat pledged continued government support for the project and said there would be no shortage of funding. She noted that Rs. 60 million had been allocated for the project when Biraj Bhakta Shrestha served as Minister for Youth and Sports and said the RSP-led government would continue to prioritise its development.
District Coordination Committee Chief Gaurinanda Acharya said the project became possible after local and district authorities successfully resolved longstanding land-related disputes. Patarasi Rural Municipality Chairperson Purna Singh Bohara said the project would help realise the long-held vision of developing Patarasi, Chhumchaur and Lotchaur into important tourism destinations.
Vice-Chairperson Janamaya Rokaya described the start of construction as a dream come true despite the many challenges faced during the planning process and thanked everyone from the local to federal level for supporting the initiative. Ward Chairperson of Patarasi–3 Govinda Budha and local youth leader Dhan Bahadur Rawat also expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to making the project a reality.
The training centre is expected to strengthen Jumla’s growing reputation as a centre for long-distance and ultra-endurance running. Through the efforts of Hari Bahadur Rokaya, a Guinness World Record-holding athlete from Jumla, the district has produced numerous nationally and internationally recognised athletes.
Among them are world-class ultra-runners Sunmaya Budha, Ram Maya Budha, and Bishwarupa Budha, all of whom were born in Patarasi Rural Municipality and have earned international recognition for their achievements. Most recently, Sunmaya Budha set a world record in the La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail race held in Italy, further highlighting the region’s remarkable contribution to international athletics. #nepal
