KATHMANDU: National cricket team skipper Paras Khadka and Shova Gauchan of Badminton won Player of the Year honours in the Pulsar Sports Award 2075 hosted by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum at Army Officers Club, Kathmandu, on Thursday.

Skipper Khadka won the men’s category title leaving behind his teammate Sandeep Lamichhane, badminton player Dipesh Dhami, judoka Indra Bahadur Shrestha and golfer Tanka Bahadur Karki.

Likewise, shuttler Gauchan lifted female's category title ahead of footballer Sabitra Bhandari, boxer Bimala Shrestha, archer Gyanu Awale and table tennis player Nabita Shrestha.

Similarly, Jagat Tamata was named the best coach of the year while Syantu Shrestha of table tennis has won the People's Choice Award. Cricket's Binod Das, Chhiring Lopsang Gurung of football, Prakash Thapa Magar from boxing and Jayant Kumar Shrestha of badminton were other nominees for the coach of the Year category.

People's choice winner Shrestha left behind Man Bahadur Shrestha of volleyball, crickter Lamichhane, football's Kiran Kumar Limbu and golfer Pratima Sherpa. The winners of the Male, Female, Coach and Peoples’ Choice were given a trophy and Pulsar NS motorbike each.

Meanwhile, cricketer Lamichhane was declared best youth player of the year. Lamichhane's U-19 team captain Dipendra Singh Airi, footballer Dinesh Henjan, Manita Shrestha and Punam Rawal were other nominees in the category.

Ashok KC was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Nepal's football sector and Himal Lamsal of Nepal Army was honoured with para athlete award for his contribution to wheelchair basketball and in cricket among the differently-abled athletes. Karan KC of National Cricket Team was awarded with a special award.

Those winning the title of the best youth player, lifetime achievement, para athlete and special award walked home with a trophy and Rs 50,000 each. Minister for Youth and Sports Jagat Bahadur Bishwakarma and other guests distributed the awards.