Badminton player Prince Dahal and national women’s football team captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba were rewarded with the NNIP best player of the year in men’s and women’s category at the 17th NNIPA Sports Award in Kathmandu on Monday.

They were both rewarded with a purse of Rs 100,000 each in the award ceremony organised by Nepal National and International Players’ Association (NNIPA).

Karateka Chanchala Dunuwar and golfer Sadbhav Acharya were feted with emerging player of the year award in the women’s and men’s sections, respectively. The duo received Rs50,000 each.

The players were rewarded for their performance throughout the Nepali calendar year 2078 BS.

Former athlete and athletics coach Khadga Bahadur Ranabhat was feted with Gajaraj Ideal Sports Personality Award. He received a purse of Rs35,000. He was awarded for his long contributions to the sports sectors.

Dhruba Tuladhar of Kantipur daily, sister publication of the Post, was honoured with NNIPA Sports Journalism Award and won a purse of Rs25,000. Boccia player Subechhya Khatiwada, who was announced the winner of the para athlete award, won a cash prize of Rs15,000.

NNIPA also feted players of 26 different games among the 277 affiliated with Nepal Olympic Committee with NNIPA player of the year awards.

Nepal Taekwondo Association did not make a recommendation for the award. The players were picked under the recommendations made by their respective sports associations or federations. The winners were rewarded with a cash prize of Rs10,000 each.

Immayung Rai (archery), Deepak Adhikari (athletics), Prince Dahal (badminton), Anusa Malla (basketball), Sushma Tamang (boxing), Nishma Shrestha (cycling) and Omkar Singh (fencing) won the player of the year award for their respective games.

Tumbapo Subba (football), Sadbhav Acharya (golf), Narayan Manandhar (gymnastic), Bishal Nepali (handball), Kamala Chand (hockey), Sanjit Dangol (judo), Ghanashyam Roka Magar (kabaddi), Chanchala Dunuwar (karate), Mohan Rana (rafting and cannoying), Sushmita Nepal (shooting) and Sangita Lama (ski) also received the awards.

Alexander Shah (swimming), Sikka Suwal (table tennis), Hritika Rana (tennis), Shrebi Maharjan (triathlon), Salina Shrestha (volleyball), Bishal Singh Bista (weightlifting), Sushila Chand (wrestling) and Sushmita Tamang (wushu) were also the recipients of the award.

The best male and female players of the year were selected among the names recommended by the sports associations.