In a historic sports award of the country, cricket dominated the proceeding winning three of four awards while athletics was the second with an award and the lifetime achievement honor. The winners of the LG NSJF Player of the Year 2062 award organized by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) were: Binod Das, Nirmala Bharati, Kanishka Chaugai and Roy Luke Dias.
Gajaraj Joshi, athletics
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joshi, 83, was the first Nepali athlete to represent country in the international arena carrying the national flag in the 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi. He participated in marathon. Now, a social worker Joshi has 10 children. In the visual presentation, he said he said he still wanted to run but his legs wouldn’t allow. He was emotional while receiving the award as all the participants in the ceremony gave him a standing ovation.
“I feel lucky, and happy to receive the honor,†he said. “If this [award] continues, the players would be encouraged.†He then went on to suggest players: “Play with the spirit of the mother nation proud.â€
Binod Das, cricket
LG NSJF Male Player of the Year
Despite his young age, Binod is a long-time servant of the game and the inspiration leader. He led the team to undefeated run in the ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament including the famous victory against UAE. He took 21 wickets in four matches becoming the highest wicket-taker of the event and his 6/29 against Hong Kong was the best bowling figure by any Nepali bowler. He continued that with 6/80 against Namibia.
Binod said he wanted to be at the podium when he saw the award last year. “When I saw others at the podium as nominees last year, I felt I should be there,†he said. So it was a dream come true and he was stunned and thanked god looking at the sky when his name was announced.
“Being nominated for the award is a great honor itself, winning it is just a bonus,†he said adding that the award has put on more responsibility on his shoulder. “It doesn’t mean I have achieved enough,†he said. “I got to best among other now on.â€
Nirmala Bharati, athletics
LG NSJF Female Player of the Year
If her performance is compared with her fellow nominees, anybody would know she is the one. In the historic year, she broke national records seven times which is itself a record by any sportsperson of the country. The 29-year-old long-distance runner was the best athlete and her biggest success came in Berlin Marathon when she finished sixth with a national record-timing of 1 hour 18.46 minutes.
“I am very happy and I was nervous,†she said. “This award would encourage me and other players to perform well. It’s one more reason for that.†She thanked her coaches and association for the support.
Kanishka Chaugai, cricket
LG NSJF Rising Player of the Year
Kanishka was even nominated for the Player of the Year for his team’s performance last year. He was the inspirational in Nepal’s under-19 team’s third successive victory in ACC U-19 Cup and Youth World Cup qualification. With him batting splendidly, his team won the Plate Championship in Sri Lanka beating New Zealand and South Africa. He scored 234 runs in the event and is the first cricketer to accumulate 1,000 runs at U-19 level.
“I am obviously proud,†he said. “But unfortunately I am flying out to USA for my further study.â€
Roy Luke Dias, cricket
LG NSJF Coach of the Year
Sri Lankan Dias has been leading Nepali team at all level for last five years and brining dream-like success. His ability to extract the best out of his players gave him U-15, U-19 and Youth World Cup plate championship trophy. Nepal could well have won the U-17 level also hadn’t the event cancelled.
“It is a great honor especially because it’s given by sports journalists,†Dias, who had been Nepal’s coach for more than five years and brought in dreamy success, said. “It’s more important also because I am a foreigner.†Dias thanked players for playing well to make him proud and Cricket Association of Nepal and his hotel for making his stay pleasant.
The NSJF Team. Photos by Udipt Singh Chhetry.
AIPS