The winner of the Youth Player of the Year award will be decided on the basis of the players´ achievements and performances in the domestic and international arena. The Sports Award, being held annually for the last 10 years, will award sportspersons in eight different categories in recognition of their achievements and contributions this year.[break]
Shirish Gurung, 15, emerged as a new swimming sensation winning a record 32 gold medals during the year. Besides winning medals, Gurung also set six national records and claimed 13 gold medals in the NSA Cup with record timing in five events. He also broke a 28-year-old record held by his coach Ongden Lama in 1,500m freestyle.
Chahana Bamjan Lama came to limelight after winning bronze medal in the World Junior Wushu Championship in Macau. Lama defeated a US player 2-1 in women´s 60 kg ending Nepal´s medal drought in wushu at the international level. However, Lama faced defeat in the semifinal after picking injury.
Cricketer Akash Bista made an impressive debut in international tournament claiming 17 wickets to help Nepal finish runner-up in the ACC U-16 Cup. He also scored 109 runs in six matches and was declared the man-of-the-series.
Niru Thapa is known as a versatile player in women´s football. Thapa, assigned the role of midfielder in the Second Women´s SAFF Championship, netted two goals in the tournament and also had some assists to her name. In domestic football, Thapa netted 15 goals for Nepal Police Club including two hat-tricks. She helped Police finish runner-up in women´s football scoring seven goals. She also won a penalty in the First Women´s Football League which helped her side win the league title.
Ratnajeet Tamang of badminton is also a strong contender for the award. Tamang, who grew up in a family of badminton players, won all three major men´s singles titles during the year 2069 BS. He also claimed two men´s doubles titles and a mixed doubles title.
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