NNIPA Felicitates Over Two Dozen Athletes with 19th Sports Awards

Kathmandu, January 5: The Nepal National and International Players Association (NNIPA) bestowed tribute to over two dozen outstanding athletes at its 19th Sports Award ceremony held in Manamaiju, Kathmandu on Saturday.

Wushu athlete Bijay Sinjali was honoured as the best player of the year in the male category, while karate's Arika Gurung received the same accolade in the female category. Manmati Bist was recognized as the best athlete in kabaddi, and Arika Gurung emerged the top athlete in karate.

The NNIPA recognised athletes who had excelled in their respective sports during the Nepali Year 2080 B.S. focusing on the performance at the 19th Asian Games. The award recipients were awarded a trophy and cash prize.

The athletes were selected based on alphabetical order of their sport, starting with athletics where Santoshi Shrestha took the top honour. Badminton's Prince Dahal, basketball's Prince Dahal, boxing's Chandra Bahadur Thapa, canoeing's Ganesh Gurung rounded out the first five awardees.

Cricket's Kushal Malla and football's Preeti Rai secured places in the sport's two most popular games. The prize was awarded to volleyball players Niruta Thagunna, as well as Usha Khanal, Shyam Maharjan, Sahas Bhandari, Rajendra Gajurel, Sadbhav Acharya, Sangita Chaudhary, and Bikash BK in various disciplines including cycling, dance sports, esports, fencing, golf, handball and judo.

The athletes competing in rugby, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and triathlon were hailed by the NNIPA as Bipesh Khadka got an award for squash, while Pujan Phewali secured honouring for rugby. Ashmin Raut received an accolade from cycling and was recognized in table tennis also as Evana Thapa for shotting and ashmin raut of cycling.

The event marked an achievement to celebrate the accomplishments of Nepalese sports personalities, showcasing excellence and potential success at regional events.