Kathmandu, July 1

Nepal Sports Journalists Forum announced the nominees of the People's Choice Award here today.

Nabita Shresha of table tennis, Nawayug Shrestha of football, Tara Devi Pun of weightlifting, Sandeep Lamichhane and Pratibha Mali of volleyball are the nominees in the one of the eight categories of the Pulsar Sports Award 2072.

The Award ceremony is scheduled for July 21 at the Nepal Academy Hall.

The nominees were picked up by the Selection Committee headed by NSJF Secretary Raju Ghising Tamang. According to Tamang, the players were selected as per their performance in national and international events and the impact made by them throughout the year.

The category, which has been changed to People's Choice Award from Popular Player of the Year, is decided by the SMS votes and Facebook likes.

Footballer Nawayug Shrestha thanked the NSJF for his nomination. “I am here because of the help and support from a lot of people and I hope to move ahead in future,” said Shrestha, the key member of the national team that won Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh last year. He also played a key role in Nepal’s victorious campaign in the 12th South Asian Games in India earlier this year.

Spiker Mali appealed her fans to cast votes and make her the winner. “I have done a lot of hard works to reach this stage and I would like to thank my coaches, seniors and New Diamond School who have been always there for me,” said Mali, the member of the national team that won bronze in the 12th SA Games.

Mali landed three best player’s award and was named the best spiker in two tournaments as her club New Diamond played five finals last year.

Likewise, table tennis player Nabita Shrestha stole the limelight when she led Nepal to 59th position in the world ranking with victories over Estonia, Pakistan, Congo and Algeria in the World Table Tennis Championships.

The five-time national champion, Shrestha also rose to 429th in individual world ranking.

The two other nominees lifter Pun and cricketer Lamichhane were not present at the announcement ceremony. Pun set three national records on her way to winning the gold medal in the 26th Asian Weightlifting Championship, while she bagged a bronze in the 12th SA Games in India earlier this year.

She has been crowned as the Strongest Woman of the country.

Likewise, young cricketer Lamichhane came to limelight when he was compared to Australian great Shane Warne after he took a hat-trick and completed a five-wicket haul against Ireland in the league round match of the ICCU-19 World Cup in Bangladesh last year.

Lamichhane, the only second player to take a hat-trick in that World Cup and sixth overall, returned with a total of 14 wickets in six matches to finish second in the highest wicket-taker’s list. Lamichhane has become a key member in the national side.

Meanwhile, the NSJF renewed the contracts with Avenues TV and THT LIVE for the Pulsar Sports Award. NSJF President Mahesh Acharya, Chief Operating Officer of Avenues TV Samriddhi Rajkarnikar and THT LIVE Officer Sajan Prasad Subedi signed the memorandum of understanding on the occasion.

As per the MoU, Avenues TV will live telecast the Pulsar Sports Award apart from promoting the programme, while THT LIVE will be responsible for the SMS voting for the People’s Choice Award category.

Surya Nepal, ISME Pvt Ltd, Dish Home, RJ Sports, Hotel Royal Singi and Crown Plaza are the other partners of the event.