Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) on Saturday said it has completed all the preparations for the Pulsar Sports Award slated to be held on September 11.

NSJF is honouring the achievements of athletes from the last year and sports persons for their contribution to sports amidst a grand ceremony at the Nepal Academy Hall. The awards will be given in eight categories—best player of the year male, female, youth, best coach, people’s choice, para athlete, special and lifetime achievement award.

While the nominations for male, female, youth, coach and people’s choice were unveiled few days back, the winners of para athlete, special and lifetime achievement will be declared directly during the award gala. The people’s choice award is decided through SMS voting.

Speaking at the press conference, former NSJF President Niranjan Rajbanshi said the umbrella association of Nepali sports journalists is eagerly awaiting for the main ceremony. “It had been a tough few months for us and we are finally glad to say that we have done all that was needed to stage this award,” said Rajbanshi.   

National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Keshav Bista, former award winners Deepak Bista—the record four-time South Asian Games gold medallist in taekwondo—and national cricket team skipper Paras Khadka along with Nepal National and International Players Association President Deepak Shrestha talked about the significance of the award.

“I would be very grateful if NSC can chip in a huge amount for the award. The government and NSC need to do its every bit to make it a grand success. NSC will work at its best to allocate a budget for the award from the coming fiscal year,” said the NSC boss Bista.

Skipper Khadka shed lights on the growth of the award. “When I was nominated for the first time as a youth player, the award took place in a small room. The way how it has grown and the amount investment that has been put in the current situation proves how much dedication is required to host such kind of event,” said Khadka.

Taekwondo ace Bista said the award has become a huge motivation for athletes. “The way how the award has become so big is beyond our imagination. I would like it call it now a national award and it inspires every athlete of the country to work hard,” said Bista.

Shrestha, a former karate player termed the award as  festival for players. “Athletes these days wait for this award like the way we Nepalese wait for our favourite festival,” he said. Winners of the male, female, coach and people’s choice will win a motorcycle each, while rest of the winners will get Rs 50,000 apiece. Meanwhile, each nominees are also assure of gift hampers.