Kathmandu, July 1

National football team skipper Biraj Maharjan was adjudged the best player of the Dasharath Chand Talent Players Award here on Friday.

Maharjan, who led Nepal to title victory in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh last year and skippered the side to the gold medal triumph in the 12th South Asian Games in India earlier this year, was felicitated with Rs 15,001 and letter of appreciation amidst a programme organised by the National Sports Council and Dasharath Chand Memorial Trust at the Dasharath Stadium.

Footballer Maharjan represented Central Region, while Phupu Lhamu Khatri (judo) of Eastern Region, taekwondo player Nima Gurung of Western Region, wushuka Nima Gharti Magar of Mid-western Region and wushuka Rajesh Chaudhary of Far-western Region were named the best players from their regions.

The four players received Rs 10,0001 each. While Khatri and Gharti Magar won gold medals in the 12th SA Games, Gurung and Chaudhary bagged silvers in the regional meet.

Minister for Youth and Sports Satya Narayan Mandal, Nepali Congress leader NP Saud, Dasharath Chand Memorial Trust Chairman Karna Bahadur Chand and Administrative Officer of Sports Development Department at NSC Chandra Rai handed over the prizes to the winner.

As judoka Khatri is in Hungary under the Olympic Scholarship Programme, her mother ....... collected the award.