Golchha Group remains title sponsor for 23rd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award to be held on Sep 3

KATHMANDU: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) has announced that the 23rd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award will take place on September 3 at Nepal Police Club in Kathmandu. The forum also said Golchha Group will continue as title sponsor for the awards.

The forum made the announcement at a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday after signing a sponsorship agreement with Golchha Group. NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari and Golchha Group Director Abhimanyu Golchha signed the agreement. The two organisations entered a five-year partnership last year, making this the second year of that deal and the 19th consecutive year of Golchha Group’s involvement with the awards.

Golchha Group Director Abhimanyu Golchha said the company was delighted to continue the long-standing partnership and reiterated its commitment to supporting the growth of Nepali sport. He said, "We are proud to continue our 19-year journey with the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum. Golchha Group remains committed to encouraging athletes, coaches, and individuals who contribute to the sports sector, while supporting the overall development of sports in Nepal. We are confident that, through our collaboration with NSJF, this award ceremony will become even more impactful and meaningful."

NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari thanked Golchha Group for its continued support, saying that partnering with one of Nepal’s oldest and most respected business houses — known for its contributions to the country’s industrial, commercial and economic development — has enabled the Forum to organise and sustain the awards systematically and effectively.

NSJF General Secretary Anjan Khadka announced that awards will be presented in nine categories: 'Male Player of the Year', 'Female Player of the Year', 'Youth Player of the Year', 'Coach of the Year', 'People’s Choice Award', 'Para Athlete Honour', 'Special Award', 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and 'Asian Sports Journalist Award'.

Khadka said the NSJF Athlete Selection Committee has begun the nomination process, with five nominees to be shortlisted for 'Male Player of the Year', 'Female Player of the Year', 'Youth Player of the Year', 'Coach of the Year' and 'People’s Choice Award'. These nominations will be announced within the next few days, and nominees for the 'People’s Choice Award' will be revealed shortly to allow for public voting. Winners of the 'Lifetime Achievement Award', 'Special Award', 'Para Athlete Honour' and 'Asian Sports Journalist Award' will be announced on the day of the ceremony.

The winners of 'Male Player of the Year', 'Female Player of the Year', 'Youth Player of the Year', 'Coach of the Year' and 'People’s Choice Award' will each receive a Pulsar motorcycle. Winners and honourees in the remaining categories will receive Rs 100,000 each.

To ensure the event runs smoothly, NSJF has formed a Main Organising Committee under the chairmanship of President Adhikari, with several subcommittees to oversee different aspects of the programme.

At last year’s awards, cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee won 'Male Player of the Year'; karate athlete Erika Gurung received the 'Female Player of the Year' title; cricketer Pooja Mahato received 'Youth Player of the Year'; and Para Taekwondo coach Kabiraj Negi Lama was recognised as 'Coach of the Year'. Volleyball player Himal Sunari won the 'People’s Choice Award' after receiving the highest number of public votes. Tulsi Kumar Gurung received the 'Special Award', Prabha Angdembe received the 'Para Athlete Honour', Bangladeshi sports journalist Rana Hasan was honoured with the 'Asian Sports Journalist Award', and Khadga Ranabhat received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.