Kathmandu: Cricket and karate dominate the list of nominees for the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award 2081 followed by kho-kho. The annual event is set to take place in Pokhara on September 14.

In the nominations revealed by organisers Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) in four categories — male, female and youth players of the year, and coach of the year — on Saturday, cricket and karate have four nominees each and kho-kho three.

Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Puja Mahato and coach Mahesh Rijal are the nominees from cricket while karateka Arika Gurung, Alisha Raskoti Magar and Anjali Maharjan along with coach Kushal Shrestha represent the martial arts discipline. Erika and Kushal were among the winners of the last edition.

Janak Chand, Manmati Dhami and coach Laxmi Narayan Vaidya are the nominees from kho-kho — all nominated following Nepal’s runner-up finish at the Kho-Kho World Cup.

According to players selection committee coordinator and NSJF secretary Anil Malla Thakuri, the committee nominated five players in each category based on the performance and results of players and teams in the Nepali calendar year 2081 BS.

Nominees

Male Player Of The Year

Dipendra Singh Airee (cricket), Kushal Bhurtel (cricket), Bijay Sinjali (wushu), Santoo Shrestha (table tennis), Janak Chand (kho-kho).

Female Player Of The Year

Arika Gurung (karate), Alisha Raskoti Magar (karate), Rekha Poudel (football), Manmati Dhami (kho-kho), Salina Shrestha (volleyball).

Youth Player Of The Year

Ajay Bik (athletics), Anjali Maharjan (karate), Puja Mahato (cricket), Swastika Tiruwa (boxing), Sameer Tamang (football).

Coach Of The Year

Kabiraj Negi Lama (para-taekwondo), Kushal Shrestha (karate), Deepak Maharjan (boxing), Mahesh Rijal (cricket), Laxmi Narayan Vaidya (kho-kho).

NSJF has already announced the nominees for the peoples’ choice award which features Bijay Sinjali (wushu), Evana Thapa (table tennis), Himal Sunari (volleyball), Puja Mahato (cricket) and Rekha Paudel (football).

The winner of the peoples’ choice award will be determined by votes through digital wallet Khalti, likes on the official Facebook pages of NSJF Pulsar Sports Award and Pulsar Nepal as well as points allocated by head coaches of sports associations affiliated with the Nepal Olympic Committee and NSJF members.

One winner in each category will be announced during a colorful award ceremony.

The Award features a total of 10 categories along with para athlete honor, special award, lifetime achievement award, team of the year and Asian sports Journalist award. There will be no nominations in these latter five categories and the winners will be announced directly during the ceremony.

Winners of the male, female, youth and coach of the year along with the peoples’ choice award will receive a Pulsar motorbike while winners in other categories will receive a cash prize of Rs 100,000 each.