Dish Media on Thursday extended its association with the Pulsar Sports Award for a record eighth year in a row.

Dish Media Chief Executive Office (CEO) Sudeep Acharya and Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) president Mahesh Acharya inked one-year co-sponsorship deal worth Rs 700,000. As per the deal Dish Media will provide NSJF Rs 470,000 in cash and 33 set-top boxes worth Rs 230,000 along with recharge cards. NSJF will present 28 set-top boxes to the winners and nominees of Award while five participants of the SMS voting for People’s Choice Award will also receive the set-top boxes.

Dish Media CEO Acharya said he was delighted to have been associated with the prestigious award. “Sports unite people and we feel privileged to be part of Nepali sports,” said Acharya. The will be held at the Army Officers Club on May 17.

The annual Sports Award honours sportsperson in eight categories—the Player of Year Male and Female, Youth, Coach, Para-athlete, Peoples’ Choice, Special and Lifetime Achievement. The winners of the male, female, coach and Peoples’ Choice award will be receive Pulsar motorbikes while the winners of other four categories will earn Rs 50,000 each.

The winners of the male, female, youth, coach and para-athlete awards will be selected on the basis of their performance and achievement throughout the year 2017-18. Special awards will be handed over to an individual having special contribution/achievement towards sports. Lifetime Achievement will be awarded for a long-term contributions in sports.

NSJF has already announced nominees for the People’s Choice Award. Winner of the category will be decided through SMS voting, facebook likes and points awarded by the journalists.