It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe Sadina Shrestha as the face of women’s basketball in Nepal.

The 30-year-old national skipper and power forward guided Nepali women’s basketball team to the final of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) last year. And although Nepal lost to India in their final match, it was a historic moment for the country’s women’s basketball.

The team, despite their loss in the final, beamed with pride and happiness after their match. They had achieved something extraordinary.

Women’s basketball games were included in the subcontinental sporting event for the very first time and Nepal had won the silver medal. The team displayed great grit and determination and reached the final under Sadina’s leadership.

In recognition of Sadina’s contribution to the sports, she has been nominated for the People’s Choice Award at the annual Pulsar Sports Award due to be held on January 12.

"This is not an individual achievement but the achievement of the whole team," Sadina said about her nomination.

Sadina comes from a family who are involved with Nepali sports in one way or another, which served as a spark that kindled her interest in sports from an early age.

She played football during her young years until she discovered basketball and excelled in the sport.

Winning silver for her country in the 13th South Asian Games was one of her proudest moments in her sporting career.

It was no fluke that Nepal reached the final that year. Match after match, the women’s basketball team had shown the fighting spirit. And Sadina was the fulcrum of her team, which earned her the nod for the People’s Choice Award.

Sadina is up against four other remarkable female athletes—swimmer Gaurika Singh, karateka Manday Kaji Shrestha, volleyball player Aruna Shahi and footballer Sabitra Bhandari.

The winner will be decided through eSewa votes, Facebook likes and votes from chief coaches of sports associations and the members Nepal Sports Journalists Forum, the award organiser.

The winner will receive a Pulsar motorcycle and other gift hampers.