Kathmandu, January 3:

Strikers are considered the backbone of football and as they are the keys to victory, they are also known as the heroes of the game.

Knowing the importance of a striker, Yamaha Motor India Pvt Ltd has announced an Yamaha G5 motorcycle to the best forward in the ongoing Martyrs’ Memorial ‘A’ Division League. Apart from the scoring power, strikers should have the capability of beating a couple of defenders and play one-touch passes. Strikers will also have to make a quick decision. The failure in doing so might turn them into a villain.

At present, Basanta Thapa of MMC is considered the best striker, but the likes of Surendra Tamang (Three Star), who won the best striker’s award of Libero last year, and Ramesh Budhathoki (MPC) are more likely to be the strong contenders after Basanta’s departure to Japan.

Basanta, who had gone to Japan for further studies before the festival break, came back for the national team’s participation in the fourth SAFF Championship.

MPC skipper Hari Khadka is the most successful striker in international football with 13 goals. He led the Nepali team in the SAFF Championship in Karachi.

Janamat Karki helped Tribhuvan Army Club win eight consecutive matches and was considered among best strikers, while Jibesh Pandey and Mani Kumar Pandit of APF have been doing a fair job for their team. NRT’s Yugal Kishor Rai and Sunil Subedi, Raj Kumar Ghising of Sankata and Som Lama of Mahabir Club also have talents to prove themselves in the forward line.