nominees for NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2081 named

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 18: The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) has announced the nominees for the People's Choice category of the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2081.

At a press conference held in Kathmandu on Sunday, NSJF revealed the names of five athletes: Bijaya Sinjali (Wushu), Evana Thapa (Table Tennis), Rekha Paudel (Football), Puja Mahato (Cricket), and Himal Sunari (Volleyball).

According to NSJF, the nominations were based on the athletes’ performance, media coverage, and public popularity. The winner will be selected through votes from the public, national coaches, Facebook likes, and NSJF members.

Fans in Nepal can vote via the IME Khalti app, while international voters can use web.khalti.com.. Voting through Khalti, a digital wallet, began today. 

Votes from Khalti will carry 50% weight. Facebook likes from the official NSJF Pulsar Award and Pulsar Nepal pages will count for 25%. Votes from coaches affiliated with the Nepal Olympic Committee and NSJF members will each contribute 12.5%.

The winner of the People's Choice Award will receive a brand-new Pulsar motorbike. Last year, volleyball player Kabita Bhatt won the award with the highest number of votes.

Footballer Rekha Paudel, one of this year’s nominees, expressed her joy. “Being nominated for the Sports Award has always been my dream. I hope sports fans will support me,” she said.

Wushu athlete Bijaya Sinjali also shared his excitement. “I’ve been on the Sports Award stage for years in different roles. I always hoped to be nominated one day—and now that dream has come true,” he said.

Meanwhile, NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari and IME Khalti Chief Commercial Officer Ashish Gautam signed a sponsorship agreement, officially making IME Khalti the voting partner for this year’s People's Choice Award. The award ceremony will take place on 14 September in Pokhara.