Dipendra Singh Airee and Erika Gurung Shine at 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards
The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) hosted the 22nd edition of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards in Pokhara on Thursday, marking the first time the country’s most prestigious sports awards ceremony was held outside Kathmandu.
The event took place at the National Assembly Hall in Pokhara, bringing together athletes, coaches, sports administrators, journalists, and government officials to celebrate Nepal’s top sporting achievements of 2025.
Cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee was named Male Player of the Year, while karateka Erika Gurung won the Female Player of the Year award, recognizing their exceptional performances and contributions to Nepali sports over the past year.
Airee received his award from Abhimanyu Golchha, Director of the Golchha Group, along with a Pulsar NS 200 ABS motorcycle. Bajaj, the title sponsor of the awards, has continued its long-standing support for Nepali sports through sponsorships, athlete development initiatives, and backing of major competitions.
The ceremony honored excellence across 11 categories, reflecting the growing diversity and professionalism of Nepal’s sporting landscape. Para-athletes, young talents, coaches, and teams were all recognized for raising Nepal’s profile nationally and internationally.
Veteran athlete Khadga Bahadur Ranabhat was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to sports, while senior coach Tulsi Kumar Gurung received a Special Award for his role in developing athletic talent in the country.
List of Major Award Winners
- Trailblazer of the Year: Palesha Goverdhan (Para Taekwondo)
- Male Player of the Year: Dipendra Singh Airee (Cricket)
- Female Player of the Year: Erika Gurung (Karate)
- Coach of the Year: Kabiraj Negi (Para Taekwondo)
- Young Player of the Year: Pooja Mahato (Cricket)
- People’s Choice Award: Himal Sunari (Volleyball)
- Para Athlete Honor: Prava Angdambe
- Special Award: Tulsi Kumar Gurung
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Khadga Bahadur Ranabhat
- Team of the Year: Kho-Kho (Men’s and Women’s teams)
- Asian Sports Journalist Award: Rana Hasan
The event saw strong participation from the Federal Minister for Sports, officials from the National Sports Council, the Chief District Officer of Kaski, and the Deputy Mayor of Pokhara, underlining the national importance of the awards.
Now in its 22nd year, the NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards has firmly established itself as Nepal’s premier sports recognition platform. Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to a transparent and merit-based selection process, aiming to further strengthen the link between sports journalism and athletic excellence in the years ahead.
