The 12th South Asian Games medallists dominated the nominees for the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award on Wednesday.

National football team’s prolific goal scorer Nawayug Shrestha, his teammate Bikesh Kuthu were among the male player of the year nominees, while 12th SA Games gold medallists Phupu Lhamu Khatri of judo and Nima Gharti Magar of wushu have been named in the female category as Nepal Sports Journalists Forum unveiled the nominees in four categories on Wednesday.

Gharti Magar, 16-year old, also found her name among the youth player of the year category along with leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. Football also has double nomination in the coach of the year category with Bal Gopal Maharjan and Raju Kaji Shakya named in the list.

NSJF is honouring the sports personalities for their achievement over the past one year. It previously announced the nominees  for the people’s choice award, while the winners of lifetime achievement award, special award and para-athlete of the year will be declared directly during the award function on July 21.

Shrestha had been the talk of the town as he was instrumental in breaking Nepal’s 23-year title drought, scoring four goals in Nepal’s triumphant Bangabandhu Gold Cup campaign. He also struck seven goals in the SA Games. Shrestha’s teammate Kuthu also played a key role in Nepal’s double title triumph and was mainly lauded for his performance in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. Other nominees in the category included weightlifter Bikash Thapa, Rajesh Chaudhary of taekwondo and Bir Bahadur Mahara of wushu. The trio had silver in the SA Games.

Khatri has been the revelation in judo having won the SA Games gold in a dominating fashion. It was Nepal’s first gold in 21 years in the discipline. Gharti Magar was the first athlete to win gold for Nepal in the SA Games held in Assam and Guwahati, while teenaged swimmer Gaurika Singh broke Nepal’s wait for an individual medal in the sport by clinching one silver and three bronze medals. 

Roja KC, who has one silver and a bronze in triathlon, along with taekwondo silver medallist Rejina Karki are other two nominees in female category. Gharti Magar and Singh are also the nominees for player of the year youth category where Lamichhane will give them a tough fight.

Lamichhane, set his own milestone in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh finishing as the second leading wicket-taker with 14. The 12th SA Games silver medallist Manita Shrestha Pradhan of judo and footballer Anjan Bista are the other two nominees in the category.

Football coach Maharjan had double feat in the past year handing Nepal the Saff U-19 Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup title. Shakya led Nepal to first SA Games gold in 23 years. Cricket coach Jagat Tamatta, Prakash Maharjan of wushu and Dal Bahadur Gurung of judo are the other nominees in coach of the year category.