Kathmandu, July 13

The 12th South Asian Games held in India earlier this year dominated the Pulsar Sports Award nominations as Nepal Sports Journalists Forum announced the list of players in male, female, youth and coach categories here today.

Footballers Nawayug Shrestha and Bikesh Kuthu, Bikash Thapa of weightlifting, wushu player Rajesh Chaudhary and taekwondo player Bir Bahadur Mahara were shortlisted in the Player of the Year (Male) category, while wushuka Nima Gharti Magar, swimmer Gaurika Singh, judoka Phupu Lhamu Khatri, triathlon athlete Roja KC and taekwondo player Rejina Karki made it to the Female section nomination.

Likewise, swimmer Singh and wushuka Gharti Magar also earned nominations in Player of the Year (Youth) category along with footballer Anjan Bista, cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane and judoka Manita Shrestha Pradhan. Bal Gopal Maharjan and Raju Kaji Shakya (football), Dal Bahadur Gurung (judo), Jagat Tamatta (cricket) and Prakash Maharjan (wushu) are nominated in Coach of the Year category. The NSJF has already announced the nominees in People’s Choice Award with cricketer Lamichhane, spiker Pratibha Mali, table tennis player Nabita Shrestha, lifter Tara Devi Pun and footballer Nawayug Shrestha in the race.

According to the selection committee headed by NSJF Secretary Raju Ghising, the players and coaches were picked up as per their performance and achievements in the national and international tournaments over the period of one year. Except for cricketer Lamichhane, all other players and coaches made it to the nomination based on their performances in the 12th SA Games held in Guwahati and Shillong.

Footballer Shrestha came to limelight when he scored four goals including a hat-trick in Nepal’s victorious run in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup and also bagged the best player’s award. He also struck two hat-tricks and the winning goal against India in the final of the 12th SA Games.

Lifter Thapa bagged silver medal in the SAG with a total lift of 242kg that included a new national record of 112kg in snatch breaking the 14-year-old mark of Roshan Nakarmi (110kg). Wushuka Chaudhary won silver medal in SAG as he became the only Nepali player to make it to the final in his first international appearance, while Mahara won silver in SAG. Likewise, goalkeeper Kuthu was the key member of the Nepali team that won Bangabandhu Gold Cup and SAG gold medal.

In female category, Khatri became the first Nepali women judoka to win SAG gold medal and bagged four more in other international events, while wushuka Gharti Magar won gold medal in SAG in her first international participation. Swimming sensation Singh created history in Guwahati when she won one silver and three bronze medals becoming the first Nepali swimmer to win individual medal. Triathlon athlete KC won silver medal in individual category and added mixed relay bronze in SAG, while taekwondo player Karki bagged silver in her first international participation.

In youth category, cricketer Lamichhane took five-wicket haul including a hat-trick against Ireland in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, while judoka Shrestha Pradhan won silver medal in SAG in her first international tournament. Footballer Bista was the member of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, SAG and SAFF U-19 Tournament winning teams.

Likewise, Tamatta was the head coach in U-19 World Cup as Nepal made it to the knock out stage for the first time, while he led the team in U-19 Global Qualifiers and also finished as runner-up in U-19 Elite with the senior team. Bal Gopal coached the national football team to the Bangabandhu Gold Cup title and SAFF U-19 Tournament. Wushu coach Prakash saw all of his seven Taolu players win medals in SAG, while women’s judo coach Gurung earned the credit of winning six out of nine medals bagged by Nepal in Shillong. Shakya became the first Nepali to win SAG gold medals as a player and coach when Nepal won the title in Guwahati after 23 years.

The selection committee also included Niranjan Rajbanshi, Himesh Ratna Bajracharya, Prajeet Shakya, Sarita Shrestha, Adarsha Dhakal and Prajwal Oli. The Pulsar Sports Award, which features eight categories, is slated for July 21 at the Nepal Academy Hall. Bajaj Pulsar is the main sponsor of the Award, while Surya Nepal, ISME, Dish Home, Ruslan Football, Avenues TV, THT LIVE, RJ Sports, National Sports Council, Nepal Olympic Committee, Royal Singi Hotel, John Players, Timex and Hotel Crown Plaza are the co-sponsors and partners of the programme.