Kathmandu: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) honored veteran sports journalist Shree Bikram Bhandari and youth journalist Binay Jyoti Sapkota at a ceremony in Lalitpur on Monday.

Bhandari was awarded the prestigious NSJF Journalism Honor, an annual accolade recognising the contributions of senior sports journalists while Sapkota received the Suman Bhomjan Memorial Youth Sports Journalists Award.  Bhandari was presented with a check for Rs 25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation while Sapkota received a laptop and a certificate of appreciation.

The awards were presented by Minister of Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary, National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Tankalal Ghising, Bagmati Province Sports Council Member Rabi Maharjan, NSJF Acting President Niranjan Adhikari, and NSJF General Secretary Prajwal Oli.

NSJF, the umbrella body for sports journalists in Nepal, annually celebrates both senior and emerging sports journalists on its Establishment Day under the slogan: Honoring Seniors and Encouraging Youths.

Bhandari, who has been in sports journalism for 37 years, currently serves as the editor of the Nepali-language sports news portal merokhel.com. A founding member of NSJF established in 1995, Bhandari expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “I am delighted to see NSJF grow into a respected institution. NSJF has been instrumental in organising various activities for sports journalists and Nepali athletes while earning international recognition,” Bhandari shared.

Bhandari, who hails from Dadeldhura in Sudurpaschim, also reflected on a pivotal moment in his career—the 1988 Dasharath Stadium stampede, which claimed the lives of over 90 people. His coverage of the tragic event marked a defining point in his journalistic journey.

Sapkota, who is currently working as a sports reporter at Kantipur Television and been in sports reporting for six years, shared his pride in receiving the award, stating, “This recognition is a huge motivation for me. I will try to follow in the footsteps of senior journalists.”

Minister Chaudhary congratulated the awardees and said that the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ was trying its best to ensure the 10th National Games take place as scheduled. NSC Member Secretary Ghising highlighted the vital role of sports journalists in promoting Nepali sports, noting that recognising their contributions helps foster the growth of the sector.

NSJF Acting President Adhikari urged government agencies to invest in programs that enhance the skills and professionalism of sports journalists. General Secretary Oli condemned the recent vandalism at the National Sports Council by a group.