The 15-year-old national team volleyball player Prativa Mali has established herself as shining star in the Nepali sporting arena.

Her rise in the national team belies her tender age as he was instrumental in Nepal’s runner-up finish during the South Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship held in Kathmandu two years ago. She was just 13 then.

Since then she has matured a lot despite her age and also helped Nepal claim bronze medal in the 12th South Asian Games in India. Since star player Ramila Tandukar left New Diamond Academy, Mali has been the star player for the club. New Diamond participated in five national-level tournaments over the past one year and the club made it to the finals in four of them. Mali played a pivotal role in the club’s run to those finals. She was named the best player as New Diamond won the Open Volleyball Champion-ship in Pokhara. She also walked away with the best player award in two other events while also winning the best spiker honour in two others meaning she never returned empty handed in any of the five tournaments.

She was rewarded for the sparkling performance with a nomination in the prestigious Pulsar Sports Award this year. Mali is one of the five nominees in the People’s Choice Award. She is contesting for the honour with table tennis player Nabita Shrestha, weightlifter Tara Devi Pun, cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane and footballer Nawayug Shrestha.  The award function is on Thursday.

NSJF annually honours the sports personalities in eight categories, evaluating on their achievements over the past one year. It had also announced five nominees each in the male, female, youth and coach of the year awards. The winners of lifetime achievement, special and para-athlete of the year award will be declared directly during the award function on July 21.