Footballer Heman Gurung and volleyball player Manju Gurung won the first Pokhara Sports Award on Saturday. 

Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) Kaski handed over the award to the two players amidst a ceremony. The award were given according to the contribution they gave to their respective sports discipline and performance in the last one year. 

While Heman was the member of the national team that won the 12th South Asian Games men’s football gold in India and Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh, Manju’s volleyball team won a bronze in the regional Games held in Guwahati from February 5-16. 

The award for the male and female player of the year carried a purse of Rs 25,000. Heman won ahead of body builder Suresh Gurung and Asim Sherchan of archery. Manju beat her teammate Aruna Shahi and Jharana Gurung of wushu.

Football coach Krishna Thapa was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A former national team coach Thapa was also the member of the team that won the 1984 SA Games gold. “To win award at my home twon is the biggest honour for me,” said Thapa. 

Surendra Gurung of karate got the better of Kaushila Khatri of volleyball and Shambhu KC of football to win the coach of the year award. Shashi Chaudhary, a volleyball and athletics player, was named the emerging player. She collected a purse of Rs 10,000.