Karateka Ganga Devi Adhikari won the Player of the Year (Female) during the gala sporting award function held in the capital on Tuesday. She had won two international golds in 2069 B.S. Adhikari, who was adjudged the best player during the 39th National Karate Championship, had bagged a gold each in Asia-Pacific Shito-Ryu Championship in Hong Kong and Singapore Open. [break]
The Armed Police Force personnel says winning the award was like reaping the reward of her hard work.
“When I look back, I feel that I have done well in international tournaments,” she says.
She added that her second award within three years was an extra motivation for her to perform well in the coming days.
National cricket team captain Paras Khadka was declared the Player of the Year (Male) for leading the national team to the title of the ICC World Cricket League Division 4. He took 12 wickets during the tournament. Under his captaincy, Nepal also won the title of the ACC Trophy Elite, where he was adjudged the man-of-the-series for scoring 207 runs.
Khadka expressed his delight at winning the award for the second time. He had also won the award three years ago.
“I am really glad. It’s a great honor just to be nominated for the award, which is probably the biggest award in the country,” says Khadka.
Wushu player Jharana Gurung was voted the Popular Player of the Year. She received 71, 806 votes through SMS and Facebook likes for a landslide victory over second-placed Sirish Gurung (14,506).
She ended an 18-year medal drought for Nepali wushu in the Asian level, winning a bronze in the Asian Wushu Championship held in Vietnam.
Volleyball coach Kumar Rai feted