Nine feted with National Sports Honour

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July.1: The Ministry of Youth and Sports presented the National Sports Honour 2082 and the Sports Journalism Awards on Monday in Kathmandu.

Nine individuals were honoured with the National Sports Honour, including athletes, a coach, a referee, and a sports physician. The recipients in the athletes’ category were Bharat Singh Mahata (Para Taekwondo), Prem Bahadur Limbu and Bir Bahadur Mahara (Taekwondo), Anuja Kulung Rai and Manmati Bista (Kabaddi), and Deepa Shahi (Football). Other awardees included Para Taekwondo coach Kabiraj Negi Lama, referee Dhan Kumar Mainali, and sports physiotherapist Dr. Raju Dangol (Maharjan).

Each received a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. Journalist Shreelochan Rajopadhyay of Naya Patrika won the Sports Journalism Award, which carries a prize of Rs. 50,000.

In addition, nine journalists from across the country received the Sports Journalism Encouragement Award, each receiving Rs. 25,000. The awardees were: Mukunda Ghimire (Koshi), Sharad Chandra Bhattarai (Madhesh), Dinanath Baral (Gandaki), Bikram Kumar Baniya (Bagmati), Swastik Shrestha (Lumbini), Dinesh Kumar Budha (Karnali), Dinesh Bahadur Bista (Sudurpaschim), Namita Dahal (Inclusive Woman Category), and Rupa Gahatraj (Inclusive Category).

Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary, National Sports Council Member Secretary Tankalal Ghising, and Ministry Secretary Dr. Hari Prasad Lamsal handed out the awards at a ceremony held at the Ministry’s office in Singhadurbar.

The event also marked the official launch of the National Sports Policy 2082, which replaces the previous policy from 2067. The new policy, endorsed by the Council of Ministers on June 23, aims to enhance coordination, ensure inclusivity, and promote the professionalization of sports in Nepal.