The Ministry of Youth and Sports on Tuesday honoured seven players with the Talented Players Award. Six of the players were the gold medalists in the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal last year.

Golfer Subash Tamang, biker Laxmi Magar, karateka Manday Kaji Shrestha and taekwondo's Ayasha Shakya were awarded Rs 100,000 each along with appreciation letters. All three except biker Magar, who won downhill gold medal in the subcontinental sports even last year, had secured two gold medals apiece in the SAG.

Bodybuilder Samir Shrestha, weightlifter Bikash Thapa and athlete Santosh Shrestha were also feted with a purse of Rs 66,666 each. Shrestha had won gold in the 13th South Asian Bodybuilding and Sports Physique Championship along with bronze in the Mr Himalayan Bodybuilding Championship. Lifter Thapa had secured gold in the men's 89kg category and athlete Shrestha in the 10,000m race during the 13th SAG.

Two coaches, two judges, a coach, a sports association and a doctor were also rewarded on the occasion.

Taekwondo chief coach Nabin Kumar Shrestha and karate coach Kushal Shrestha, who trained the Nepali team during the SAG, were rewarded Rs 50,000 each.

Taekwondo secured 12 gold, six silver and 11 bronze while karate earned 10 gold, four silver and five bronze medals in the South Asian sports meet.

Judo judge Dharam Kumar Shrestha, doctor Gyanendra Bikram Shah and Nepal Golf Association were also rewarded Rs 100,000 each for their contribution.

Sports sponsors Qatar Airlines and Kathmandu Metropolitan City were also feted on the occasion.

Minister for Youth and Sports Jagar Bahadur Bishwakarma, Secretary Ram Prasad Thapaliya and National Sports Council member secretary Ramesh Kumar Silwal, among others, distributed the prizes.