National cricket team skipper Paras Khadka stood tall to claim the Male Player of the Year (PoY) award, while judoka Sunita Bohra was declared female PoY of the Pulsar Sports Award on Monday.
Khadka got the better of his teammates left-arm spinner Basanta Regmi and Subash Khakurel, sprinter Yam Sajan Sunar and golfer Shiva Ram Shrestha for his third PoY award. Sunita claimed the female honour ahead of Sofia Shah of swimming, Dil Maya Karki of athletics, Sita Rana Magar of cricket and Tara Devi Pun of weightlifting.
Pubudu Dassanayake won the coach of the year and footballer Bimal Gharti Magar was named the youth player of the year. Baikuntha Manandhar presented with the Lifetime Achievement, national cricketer Sharad with the Special Award and taekwondo player Yadav Kunwar with the Para-athlete of the year honour.
Organisers Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF) had already declared the winners of the Lifetime Achievement, Special and Para-athlete awards. Spiker Saraswoti Chaudhary of Nepal APF Club won the Popular PoY with a whopping margin where she sidelined Khadka, Shah, Sunar and Gharti Magar. National cricket team was honoured with the Team of the Year award for their run on to the maiden ICC World Twenty20.
Khadka had a splendid year leading Nepal to their first ever World Twenty20 in Bangladesh where he shone both on and off the field. The road to the award, however, was tough for him as he wa up against teammates Regmi and Khakurel who were equally good in the run on to Bangladesh. Regmi had 49 wickets in the Nepali calendar year and Khakurel had been one of the most consistent performers in the four tournaments he played for Nepal.
Khadka had not only performed with the bat but also delivered with the ball and his exemplary leadership was key to his winning the coveted award. “This is the day all Nepali players await eagerly,” said Khadka.
“I would like to dedicate this award to all my team members. Last two years have been really successful for Nepali cricket. Nepal played the World Cup and we want the country to be in every World Cup. Keep on supporting us and we will do our best to reach at the higher level,” said the 26-year old Khadka.
Bohra was the lone gold medallist from hosts Nepal in the seventh South Asian Judo Championship and said it was a great feeling to win the event. “I am happy. This was possible only because of the support from everyone: my family, coaches and Nepal Judo Association,” said Bohra.
Dassanayake, who guided Nepal to World Twenty20, Division 3 title and a third-place finish in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers, also won second consecutive coach of the year award in what was his third nomination. Dassanayake has never missed out of the Sports Award nomination since taking over the reins of Nepali cricket in 2011. “I am winning it (the Sports Award) for the second time. But this is the first time that I have been present in this ceremony and its great to be here,” said Dassanayake.
In a tough selection for youth category award, Gharti Magar edged national team cricketers Som Pal Kami and Avinash Karn along with Asian Junior Wushu Championship bronze winner Bishal Thapa Sinjali and record holder swimmer Sirish Gurung.
Gharti Magar is tipped as a future star of Nepali football who shot to fame with a last gasp equaliser against Pakistan in the eighth SAFF Championship held in Nepal. That goal made him the youngest scorer of the national team. He also led Nepal to AFC U-16 Championship final and a runner-up finish in the SAFF U-16 Championship.
Khadka was nominated in the Popular PoY for second year in a row but once again returned empty handed with just seven per cent of votes in the award decided through SMS polls and facebook likes. Chaudhary earned 67 per cent of total votes, while Shah was distant second with 14 per cent. The male, female and popular player of the year award winner received Pulsar motorbikes, while the other category winners grabbed a purse of Rs 50,000 each.
The glittering ceremony at the Nepal Academy Hall featured martial arts show with 3D effects, live performance from singer Nima Rumba, stand-up comedy by Raja Rajendra, live band performance by swimmer Sirish Gurung and a mix of wushu moves and hip hip dance.
Pulsar Sports Award winners
- Male: Paras Khadka (cricket)
- Female: Sunita Bohra (judo)
- Youth: Bimal Gharti Magar (football)
- Coach: Pubudu Dassanayake (cricket)
- Lifetime Achievement: Baikuntha Manandhar (athletics)
- Special: Sharad Vesawkar (cricket)
- Para-athlete: Yadav Kunwar (taekwondo)
- Popular: Saraswoti Chaudhary (volleyball)
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