Kathmandu, December 1

Creative Hands felicitated national cricketer Mahesh Chhetri with the Nepalgunj Sports Honour here today.

Creative Hands, which honour players from Mid-west and Far-west regions, selected cricketer for the second time in a row after women national cricket skipper Nary Thapa. Chhetri got a Suzuki scooter in recognition to the contribution he made in national and international level. Thapa was honoured with the award five years ago.

National Sports Council Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista, Nepal National and International Players Association President Deepak Shrestha, former chief of APF Sailendra Kumar Shrestha, Nepal Army Col Min Dhoj Khadka, Nepal Sports Journalists Forum President Mahesh Acharya, Mid-western Regional Sports Development Committee Treasurer Menuka Pachhai among others honoured Chhetri.

Tribhuvan Army Club’s cricket team member Chhetri represented Nepal in the U-15 team in 2002 and featured in U-19 side before making his national team debut in 2006 from the ACC Trophy in Malaysia.

After being felicitated, Chhetri said the award was one of the biggest in his career and that the honour would motivate him to do even better in days to come. “I have struggled hard in my cricketing career and this award will motivate me to do better in the field,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

NSC Member Secretary Bista asked the organisers to continue with the programme. “This is indeed a good job done by the Creative Hands and the sports’ governing body is ready to lend any kind of support to such organisations,” said Bista. Similarly, NNIPA President Shrestha said the felicitations motivate the players and urged officials from other regions to follow the suit for same of athletes.