They were honored at an award ceremony organized by the Nepal National and International Players Association at the Chandeshwari Temple premises in Banepa Municipality, Kavre.
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Karate player Erica Gurung and table tennis player Shantu Shrestha have been named the best players at the 20th NNIPA Sports Awards 2082.
The award was presented to them at an event organized by the Nepal National and International Sportsmen's Association at the Chandeshwari Temple complex in Banepa Municipality, Kavre.
Table tennis player Shantu won the South Asian qualifiers and played in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He became the first Nepali player to be selected for the Olympics in table tennis. Karate medalist Erica won a historic silver medal in the World Karate One Youth League. She also won medals in other international competitions, including the Australian Open gold medal.
Erica was named the NNIPA Best Female Player for the second consecutive year. Along with the Best Player award, she received a prize of Rs 100,000. Since Shantu is abroad, the award was received by her family. Erica said that winning the award for the second consecutive time was a proud moment for her and said that the award is a link to boost the morale of the players.
The award for the most talented male athlete was given to Abhishek Baral of taekwondo and Swastika Thiruwa of boxing in the women's category. Abhishek won a silver medal at the 6th KASAD Asian Taekwondo Championship. Swastika won gold at the ISF Gymnasiade Summer Games. Earlier, she also won bronze at the Asian Junior Boxing Championships in Dubai in 2021.
Prabha Angdambe of athletics was honored with the Para Athlete Award. She has achieved remarkable heights in less than a year of entering competitive sports. She made her international debut at the Dubai Grand Prix and won silver in the T-47 long jump in New Delhi by jumping 3.96 meters. Which is the biggest medal in Nepali Para Athletics.
Volleyball coach Kumar Rai Gajraj Joshi, who has made significant contributions to women's volleyball through the New Diamond Volleyball Academy, was honored with the Ideal Sports Personality. Photojournalist Udipta Singh Chhetri, who has spent more than two decades in sports photojournalism, was honored with the NNIPA Sports Journalism Award. Both received Rs 35,000 each and a certificate of appreciation.
Players from 26 different sports were awarded the Best Sportsperson of the Year-2082. The awardees are Erica Gurung (Karate), Min Karki (Fencing), Tilak Pun (Archery), Maulik Maharjan (Triathlon), Erbin Shrestha (Poor), Sunira Thapa (Tennis), Rashila Maharjan (Badminton), Rabina Chaudhary (Kabaddi), Diksha Magar (Judo), Preeti Rai (Football), Achyut Krishna Kharel (Cycling), Santoshi Shrestha (Athletics), Amaresh Kumar Yadav (Wrestling), Abhishek Baral (Taekwondo), Swastika Thiruva (Boxing), Shivaji Silwal (Wusu), Sumitra Regmi (Volleyball), Nikesh Rakhal Magar (Basketball), Sadbhav Acharya (Golf), Dilip Yadav (Weightlifting), Rabin Chepang (Rafting and Canoeing), Nilima Pandey (Hockey), Nisha Rai (Handball), Sumit Tamakhu (Gymnastics), Syantu Shrestha. (Table Tennis) and Laxmi Rai (Ski). All the best received Rs 15,000 each. The best and most talented players were selected from among them, according to NNIPA.
The award winners were honored by National Sports Council (NSC) Member-Secretary Ramcharitra Mehta, Banepa Municipality Mayor Shanti Ratna Shakya and Deputy Mayor Bimala Sapkota, Players Association President Deepak Shrestha, among others. Mayor Shakya recalled that he had been trying to bring this NNIPA Award to Banepa for two years and said that he was happy to organize the award at the historical heritage Chandeshwari Temple premises. He said that many may not know about our Banepa's heritage Chandeshwari Temple, but he is hopeful that the arrival of players with national/international recognition will increase its popularity.
