KATHMANDU, April 26: Puja Mahato has been named a Nagarik Nayak of 2082 for her outstanding contribution to Nepali women’s cricket.
At just 18, Puja captained Nepal’s U-19 women’s team to victory over UAE in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, delivering key performances with both bat and ball.
Nagarik Nayak 2082 announcement program begins (With Photos)
Born into a humble family in Mahottari, Puja spent much of her childhood in Delhi, where her father worked as a laborer. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she accompanied her brother to cricket practice, which led her to take up the sport herself. With free training support and relentless dedication, Puja’s talent quickly blossomed.
In less than two years, she became a mainstay in Nepal’s senior women’s team, captained the U-19 squad to the World Cup, scored a historic century in qualifiers, and was named in ICC’s U-19 Women’s World Cup Dream Team.
Her story, from early struggles to national pride, is a testament to hard work and resilience. Puja’s father proudly says, “Every family deserves a daughter like Puja.”
Today, Puja Mahato is not just a cricket star — she is an inspiration for a new generation
