Cricketer Gulsan Jha, football player Preeti Rai, volleyball player Kabita Bhatta, kabbadi’s Manmati Bista and Rugby’s Shree Ram Shrestha have been nominated for the peoples’ choice award for the annual Pulsar Sports Award, which is scheduled to be held on September 13.

Organiser Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF) unveiled the five nominees for the peoples’ choice award amid a function in Kathmandu on Friday.

The nominations for the peoples’ choice category is done based on their achievements and popularity in their respective sports discipline in the last few years.

The winner of the people’s choice award will be decided through eSewa votes, Facebook likes and points given by NSJF members and chief coaches of national sports associations affiliated with Nepal Olympic Committee. The eSewa votes will have 50 percent weightage, Facebook likes carry 25 percent and the points given by coaches and NSJF members will carry 12.5 percent weightage each.

“All the nominees of the peoples’ choice award are outstanding in their game. For us, they all are the winners,” said NSJF General Secretary Prajwal Oli, who is also coordinator of the players selection committee.

NSJF renewed its deal with its voting partner eSewa on the occasion. NSJF President Subedi and eSewa Chief Business Officer Ashish Gautam exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding. It’s the fifth consecutive year NSJF joined hands with eSewa.

Last week, NSJF extended the sponsorship deal with its main sponsor Golchha Group for a 16th edition in a row. Golchha Group is the holding company of Hansaraj Hulaschand and Company, which is an authorised distributor and producer of Bajaj Pulsar motorbikes in Nepal.

NSJF is recognising athletes and sports professionals in ten categories—Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Youth Player of the Year, Team of the Year, People's Choice Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Para Athlete Honour, Special Award, and the Asian Sports Journalist Award—this year.

The winner of the peoples’ choice award will receive a Pulsar NS 400 two-wheeler, while Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, Youth Player of the Year, Coach of the Year will be awarded with Pulsar NS 200.

The winners of the Team of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Award, and Para Athlete Honour will be awarded Rs100,000 each.

The winners of other five categories will be revealed during the award ceremony.

“The nominees for the player of the year male, female, youth, coach will be announced in a few days,” said NSJF Secretary Anjan Khadka.

National cricket team member Jha had an important role in guiding Nepal to ACC Men’s Premier Cup trophy and their maiden Asia Cup in India. His unbeaten 67 (84) had guided Nepal to a seven-wicket victory against the United Arab Emirates in the Premier Cup final. Jha was also an important part of the Nepal squad at ICC U-19 World Cup and T20 World Cup.

Footballer Rai has established herself as one of the most important players of the national women’s football team. Her stoppage time goal against Lebanon guided Nepal to the final of the WAFF Women’s Championship last year.

Manmati Bista was a part of the Nepal national women’s kabaddi team who won a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Volleyball player Bhatta is a regular at the national team. She was in the squad that secured a silver medal at the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Nations League this month.

Rugby’s Shrestha led Bagmati Province to the championship during the National Games. He also represented Nepal in the rugby competition at the 19th Asian Games.