Kathmandu: The South Asian Sports Journalists’ Association Nepal, SASJAN, Monday organized a program to commemorate the World Sports Journalists Day, which falls every year on July 2.

Chief guest Marshal arts champion Ms. Susmita Kandel gave awards to Mr. Lok Deep Thapa and Gopal Basnet for their laudable contributions in the Nepal’s sports sector.

Ishwar Man Singh, the chairman of the SASJAN also handed over a cheque to the two distinguished award winners Mr. Thapa and Mr. Basnet.

The SASJAN, which was established in the year 1996, has all along been commemorating the World Sports Day in Nepal since its inception at the call of the World Sports Press Association.

To recall, the World Sports Association was formed as back as in 1925 in France.

Mr. Thapa is also the Vice President of the Nepal SAARC Journalists’ Forum established in the year 1995 and concurrently is the chief editor of the Rising Nepal-an English daily.

Prior to the award presentation ceremony, the attending participants condoled the death of late His Majesty King Birendra, HM Queen Aishwarya, HM King Dipendra, HRH Nirajan and HRH Shruti Rana and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed Royal souls. The meeting also condoled the demise of other sports men.

Accepting the award, editor Thapa vowed to work for the enhancement of Nepalese sports sector in the future and appreciated the role of the SASJAN.