SATV Mar. 10, Kathmandu: Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya, has said sports have lately been the means of promoting the country's image.     

Speaking as the Chief Guest during the inauguration of the Prime Minister Cup Cricket Tournament in Lamahi on Sunday, he said the sport has also its special contribution to making the economy vibrant. He added that the government is positive toward increasing investment in the sports sector.     

As he said, this time the Lumbini Province was prioritised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to conduct the Prime Minister's one-day men's national cricket tournament. "This is expected to promote the province's tourism industry," he said.     

CAN central chairperson Chatur Bahadur Chand has said that the decision to organise the event outside Kathmandu intended to draw the government's attention to the urgency to prioritize the development of sports infrastructure.     

Matches under the tournament are taking place in Deukhuri Cricket Stadium, the Siddhartha Stadium and the Tilottama Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium simultaneously.     

A total of ten teams: each from seven provinces and three departmental teams are competing in the tournament.