Teenage shuttler Prince Dahala has become a household name in the Nepali sports fraternity. The 17-year-old has achieved a rare feat in Nepali sports arena — securing junior world No 1 spot in badminton, which none of his predecessors had achieved before.

His success at a young age, however, did not come overnight. It was the result of his persistent hard work for more than a decade. “My target is to become Nepal No 1. But I know very well that I need to work really hard to achieve the goal,” Dahal had told the Post three years ago and now he is junior World No 1.

The native of Khalanga in Darchula has been nominated for the peoples' choice award for the annual Pulsar Sports Award set to take place in the capital on March 22.

National women's football team goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba, cricketer Kushal Bhurtel, table tennis player Elina Maharjan and middle distance runner Santoshi Shrestha are the other nominees for the awards.

The winners will be decided on the basis of eSewa votes, Facebook likes on the official page of the Sports Award and points allocated by head coaches of 27 sports associations affiliated with the Nepal Olympic Committee and members of the Nepal Sports Journalists’ Forum. The eSewa votes will have 50 percent weightage, Facebook likes 25 percent and the points allocated by coaches and NSJF members will have 12.5 percent weightage each.

Dahal developed interest in badminton when he was just seven. It was his father who was instrumental in drawing him into the game.

“My father is an avid sports lover who could play any game possible in the local surroundings. It was he who taught me the basics of badminton in my early days,” recalled Dahal, who came into limelight in 2018 after he won the U-15 gold in the Dubai International Series.

A year later, he won U-19 gold in Dubai and was also one of the nominees of the same award category. He played 11 official series from April, 2019 to March, 2020, and witnessed one after another success to leapfrog on top of the international rankings.

Dahal's next ambition is to convert the success he achieved at the age group to the senior level. He is well aware that his success at the junior level would not have much significance at the senior level.

At the national level too, he has already claimed the ranking (senior) title. He has already defeated top ranked players at the domestic level. He secured Pushpalal Ranking Badminton title last year in Siraha and Tope-21 in Sindhupalchok.

Dahal believes that match exposure is a key factor in enhancing performance. The 11th grader at Pinnacle College feels that he needs to make improvements in forehand, net and defence while having physical superiority.

However, he has not played any international series in the last two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. He is preparing for an international series to take place in Europe next month though.

With a view to keeping Dahal's momentum, Nepal Badminton Association has committed support. Dahal has got a special scholarship for the 2024 Olympics.