Binod Das, the national cricket team captain was declared the LG player of the year (PoY) 2006 in a program organized by Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF), an umbrella association for all Sports Journalist of Nepal.

NSJF President Niranjan Rajbanshi (left) and Hemanta Kafle, Gen Sec of NSJF (right) honoring Gaja Raj Joshi with the lifetime achievement award.

NSJF President Niranjan Rajbanshi (left) and Hemanta Kafle, Gen Sec of NSJF (right) honoring Gaja Raj Joshi with the lifetime achievement award.
(Photo source: THT)

Cricket had the good day as Kanishka Chaugai, a Nepali U-19 team captain who was in limelight throughout the year for his cracking successive year, was declared Youth player of the year, leapfrogging Ranjit Shrestha, Chetan Ghimire in the category. Sri Lankan Cricket Coach Roy Luke Dias was adjudged the best coach of the year. In the female category, Nirmala Bharati was in the top while Gajaraj Joshi, first International competitor from Nepal, was honored with Lifetime Achievement award.

The winners received Rs 10,000 each along with gift hampers from LG, Water Shop, Attsh and Buddha Air.

NSJF president Niranjan Rajbanshi and general secretary Hemanta Kafle jointly thanked all for the successful program and also thanked the sponsors for their support.

A brief profile of the winners is as follows:

Binod Das

The straight forward guy Binod Das, who hails from Kalaiya, Bara is considered as the best cricketer of Nepal and has guided Nepal to the finals of the ACC Fast Track countries 3-day tournament and also led a memorable win over UAE, an arch-rival of Nepal. His stats show clearly that he is superior to others. His 6-29 record against Hong Kong is best remembered in the Fast Track tournament. Other nominees in the category were Kanishka Chaugain (cricket), Paresh Lohani (cricket), Devi Bahadur Basnet (athletics) and Pradeep Maharjan (football). Athlete Rajendra Bhandari won the award last year.

Nirmala Bharati

“Run Nirmala Run” is the best courteous statement for Nirmala Bharati who became the first player to set seven national records in a year. She is a queen of long distance race while she was also declared best athlete of the year 2005 by Nepal athletics Association (NAA). Bharati was honored with her superb timing of 1:18:46 is the Berlin race, which was held last year. Other nominees in the category were shuttler duo Puja Shrestha and Sumina Shrestha, Lila Adhikari (Judo), Keshari Chaudhary (athletics) and Chandrakala Thapa (athletics). Puja and Sumina were the joint winners last year.

Kanishka Chaugai

He is smiley and more than that, he has cracked the ball all around the pitch. He is aggressive on every ball and he loves boundaries rather than gully, mid-off or mid-on. He is the man who lifted ACC U-19 Asia Cup and won the plate championship in the U-19 World Cup. The Nepalese team defeated New Zealand and South Africa on the way to clinch the trophy. But, unfortunately, he is the process of flying to the United States for further studies. Other nominees in the category were Chetan Ghimire (football), Ranjeet Shrestha (football), Gyanendra Malla (cricket) and Keshari Chaudhary (athletics)

Roy Dias

Dias is another name in Nepalese Cricket who led the national team to much success. The Sri Lankan coach is providing his knowledge since four years. Other nominees in the category were Shyam Thapa (football), Raju Shakya (football), Sushil Narsingh Rana (athletics) and Kiran Thapa (badminton).

Gaja Raj Joshi: Life Time Achievement Award

Joshi is a long distance runner. He is the first Nepalese among four who took part in an International tournament.