SATV, Kathmandu, Aug. 31: The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) announced on Sunday the nominations across four major categories for the 23rd edition of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2082.

Karate martial artists headlined the announcement, securing six nominations across the four main categories: Player of the Year (Male), Player of the Year (Female), Youth Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

In the Player of the Year (Male) category, boxer Chandra Thapa Magar, athlete Som Bahadur Kumal, karateka Pradip Baijali Magar, cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee, and golfer Sadbhav Acharya have been shortlisted.

Karate fighters featured heavily in the Female Player of the Year category, with Arika Gurung, Sabina Shrestha, and Sanumaya Thing earning nominations. They face stiff competition from distance runner Santoshi Shrestha and football international Sabitra Bhandari.

The Youth Player of the Year category includes karatekas Rehan Javed and Manisha Kumari Bohora, alongside boxer Arpil Rana, chess player Purushottam Silwal, and cricketer Raunak Srivastava.

Meanwhile, Kushal Shrestha and Monday Kaji Shrestha represent karate in the Coach of the Year category. They are nominated alongside boxing coach Deepak Maharjan, national cricket coach Stuart Law, and Puran Singh Khatri of the blind women's cricket team.

The players were selected based on their international performances and results achieved during the Nepalil calendar year 2082 BS, said the Player Selection Committee for the award. Coordinated by Anil Malla Thakuri, the selection panel comprises Niranjan Rajbanshi, Himesh Ratna Bajracharya, Prajeet Shakya, and Birat Jung Rayamajhi.  

Awards dedicated to flood victims

The NSJF also announced that this year's ceremony will be dedicated those affected by the devastating flash floods along the Bhote Koshi River. 

Rajbanshi, selection committee member and treasurer of AIPS Asia, stated that given the ongoing disaster, the event will proceed without grand celebrations to honour those affected. 

He noted that the true spirit of the awards is to offer solidarity and support from the sporting community during a national crisis.  

The ceremony will be held on 3 September at the Blue Pavilion of Nepal Police Club in Kathmandu. Accolades will be presented across nine categories.  Winners of the Male, Female, Youth, Coach, and People's Choice categories will each receive a Pulsar motorcycle. 

Nominations for the People's Choice Award were previously revealed. The recipients of the remaining categories, Lifetime Achievement, Para Athlete, Special, and Asian Sports Journalist Award, will be disclosed during the ceremony.