National football team forward Santosh Sahukhala, former women’s footballer Bhagwati Thapa, coach Maheshwor Mulmi and former Fifa referee Pema Dolma Lama and Madhusudan Khanal were the recipients of the annual awards that offer Rs 1,00,000 and a motorcycle each.

Sahukhala, who made his international debut in 2007 and club debut in 2003 from Three Star Club, is the highest goal scorer in the domestic front with 96 goals.  “Any award helps motivate players and I am very happy to receive such a prestigious award,” said Sahukhala. Thapa represented Nepal in the Asian U-19 Women’s Championships in China in 2004 and was also a member of the national team that won silver medal in the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka in 2010. She are represented Nepali team that finished second in the first (Sri Lanka, 2010) and second (Bangladesh, 2012) Women’s Saff Championship.

“Finally my services have been recognised,” said the 28-year Thapa, who is currently skippers the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club. “I come from a very humble background and this rewards means a lot to me, both emotionally and financially as well.”

Lama represented Nepal in the 12th Asian Women’s Championship in Philippines in 1999 and had captained the side that played a friendly against India in 2000. She also worked as a Fifa assistant referee from 2001-2010. She currently works as Fifa referee instructor. Khanal served as Fifa referee from 1999-2010. Mulmi was the assistant coach of the Nepali team that won the third SAG Games silver medal in Kolkata in 1987. Mulmi was also the assistant coach when Nepal struck gold medal in the sixth SAG Games in Dhaka in 1993 and silver medal in the eight SAG Games in Kathmandu in 1993.

CPN-UML chairman KP Sharma Oli handed over the cash prizes and motorcycle keys to the winners. The Award was established in memory of late Rupak Raj Sharma, who died in air crash in 1992 while returning after officiating a match in Pakistan. Sharma, who led Nepali team for 12 years from 1974, was the first Fifa Referee of Nepal and served the Nepal Police at the capacity of Superintendent of Police.