Pokhara Sports Awards 2081 Honors Top Athletes and Coaches
The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum Gandaki has presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Olympian shooter Bhagawati Khatri KC at the Ninth Pokhara Sports Awards 2081.
She was honored on Friday, 26th Baishakh, 2082, during a formal awards ceremony with a silver karuwa, trophy, copper plaque, and dosalla.
Award-Winning Career of Bhagawati Khatri KC
Originally from Baglung, Khatri has earned medals in several national and international competitions. She secured first place in the Ninth National Games, the 12th National Shooting Championship, the First Open Shooting Championship, and the Fourth National Sports Games. She came in second in the Fifth National Games and was declared Best Player in the 12th National Shooting Championship.
She also competed in the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney, where she set a national record. She has also participated in seven editions of the Asian Games, the SAFF Championship, and other international shooting tournaments.
Khatri received the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu medal and was recognized as the Best Player of the Year in 2063 BS for her national and international sports performance. Since 2051 BS, she has been coaching athletes free of charge in Gandaki Province.
Past Lifetime Award Recipients
In previous years, the Forum has honored senior athletes, including Krishna Thapa, Khadga Bahadur Ranabhat, Dr. Birendra Singh Gurung, Chitra Bahadur Gurung, Anand Ranjit, Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, Vidya Prasad Marasini, and Indra Malla, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prizes for Other Award Categories
Winners in the Best Male and Female Athlete categories received an award and a Telzee electric scooter.
All other award recipients received a cash prize of NPR 35,000 and their awards.
Special Performance and Award Announcements
Singer Samikshya Adhikari delivered a special musical performance during the ceremony.
Bhagawati Khatri KC was officially named this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Vijaya Nepal received the Sports Journalist of the Year Award.
Final Nominees in Four Categories
Chairperson MB Aastha Magar announced the final three nominees in each of the following categories:
Best Male Athlete of the Year
-
Vishwas Adhikari (Volleyball, Nawalpur)
-
Pradeep Khadka (Tennis, Kaski)
-
Sumit Shrestha (Football, Kaski)
Best Female Athlete of the Year
-
Aruna Shahi (Volleyball, Kaski)
-
Kripa Gurung (Fencing, Syangja)
-
Susmita Thapa Magar (ITF Taekwondo-Muay Thai, Baglung)
Rising Athlete of the Year
-
Badal Karki (Athletics, Baglung)
-
Jit Bahadur Sarki (Volleyball, Syangja)
-
Rachana Chaudhary (Cricket, Kaski)
Coach of the Year
-
Niraj Thapa (Tennis, Kaski)
-
Ramesh KC (Volleyball, Syangja)
-
Rajendra Tamang (Football, Kaski)
