Kathmandu, December 20:

Bikash Singh Chhetri wasn’t even born when Dev Narayan Chaudhary was on his heydays. But both the defenders are now contesting for the best defender award in the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football. The winner will get a new Yamaha G-5 motorcycle.

Chaudhary is not just a defender but also the captain of Mahendra Police Club (MPC) while Chettri has the same responsibility for Sankata Club. Many captains in the ongoing league are defenders. MPC’s Rakesh Shrestha is one of the best defenders of Nepali football and it is very tough beating him.

Chun Bahadur Thapa, a Tribhuvan Army Club defender, has added a new dimension to his role by charging forward for the goal. Chun Bahadur is one of the leading scorer for his club so far. He is supported by defenders Daimoj Dhimal, Surendra Chaudhary and Mahendra Khawas.

Defender Tashi Tsering, skipper of Carlsberg Manang Marsyangdi Club, is the backbone of the club and is supported by Sagar Thapa and Sandip Rai. Winner of the last year’s best defender award, Sagar will face a strong challenge with hosts of other defenders. Lok Bandhu Gurung of Nabil Three Star Club is also a favourite to win the award despite teammates Anjan KC, Sanjeev Budhathoki and veteran Rajendra Tamang posing a serious threat to his challenge.

Others in the race to win the Yamaha G-5 include Boys Union captain Bijay Maharjan, Brigade Boys’ skipper Sachin Rai, RCT captain Madhu Karki and APF’s Gopal Thapa. Apart from the best defender, five other best individuals — best forward, best midfielder, best goalkeeper, best coach and highest scorer — will also be awarded with a Yamaha G-5 motorcycle. One lucky spectator who guesses the correct names of the winners in all the categories will also get the motorcycle.