Santosh and Bhagwati were feted with Rs 100,000 and a motorbike after bagging the award, organized annually by the football governing body All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), which honors five football personalities every year in memory of late former national skipper and FIFA referee Rupak Sharma.
Besides the football players, former national coach Maheshwar Mulmi (coach of the year), former FIFA assistant referee Madhusudan Khanal (male referee of the year) and former women's FIFA assistant referee Pema Dolma Lama (female referee of the year) were also presented with awards.
All the winners of the Rupak Memorial are feted with Rs 100,000 and a motorbike.
Rupak Memorial award is one of the most prestigious awards in the Nepali football. Late Rupak, a Nepal Police officer, passed away in an air crash while returning from Pakistan.
"It's a great honor to be felicitated with Rupak Memorial award. As a footballer, I have always aspired for this award," said Santosh, who plays his club football from Three Star Club.
"Award like these infuses us with motivation and gives inspiration to emerging players," added Santosh, who, after netting 50 goals, holds the record for most goals by a Nepali footballer in the top flight football.
Elated with the award, Bhagwati said that the award means a lot to her as there few events and recognition in women football.
"This is one of the biggest achievements for me. We are all well familiar with the status of women football in the country. We have few events and recognition. I come from a rural part of the country and my family is not well off. I have served more than a decade in women football. And bagging this award means a lot to me."
Minister for Youth and Sports Purushottam Poudel, CPN-UML chairman KP Oli and ANFA acting president Ganesh Thapa handed over the prizes to the winners.
Speaking on the occasion, Nita Sharma, late Rupak's wife and Rupak Memorial Foundation president, said that the award served in protecting the legacy of her husband.
"Rupak was a dedicated and hardworking sports person and civil servant. Contributing to sports and serving the country was above everything for him. This award has served in keeping his legacy alive. We are thankful to ANFA for this noble work," she said.
Minister Poudel said that in order to make significant development in sports, the government must allocate at least one percent of its budget for the sector and spend it on building infrastructure.
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