Nepal National and International Players Association is set to organise NNIPA Sports Award on February 20 at Nigu Pukhu in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality.

According to NNIPA President Dipak Shrestha, they have added the Rising Player of the year from this edition of the annual award. A male and a female players having potential to excel in the game would be given the award. They will be judged on the basis of their performance in the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal from December 1 to 10 in 2019. The winner of the award will get a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

Madhyapur Thimi Municipality will be the local organising partner of the award and it would shoulder the responsibility of event management. The award was previously held in Bhaktapur, Tokha, Patan and Basantapur in coordination with local bodies.

NNIPA excellent player of the year, talented player of the year and best player of the year will also be given during the award ceremony. Altogether 26 players from as many sports included in the SAG last year will be awarded player of the year on the basis of their performance in the last Nepali calendar year (2076) and recommendation by their respective sports associations. They will be given Rs 10,000 each.

Similarly, one best male and female player from among all 26 games will be given excellent player of the year awards. They will get Rs 100,000 each. One male and one female players would bag talent awards along with Rs 50,000 each.

A sportsperson will be honoured with Gajraj Joshi Ideal Sports Person award and a sports journalist or a sports photojournalist will be given NNIPA Sports Journalism Award.

Apart from those recommended for awards by the sport associations, the winners of other categories will be selected by a committee coordinated by NNIPA honorary president Deepak Bista.