Erika Gurung and Vijay Sinjali Honored as NOC Award 2082 Best Athletes

Kathmandu. Karateka Erika Gurung and Wushu player Vijay Sinjali have been honored with the Best Athlete of the Year award at the NOC Award 2082. Vijay was declared the best male athlete of the year and Erika the best female athlete of the year at the fourth edition of the NOC Award ceremony organized by the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) in Thamel, Kathmandu.

In the program that honored outstanding athletes, coaches, associations, and sports journalists of the Nepali sports sector, Wushu coach Kushal Shrestha was honored in the Best Coach category. Similarly, the Best Sports Association award was secured by the Nepal Karate Association. Tennis player Shivali Gurung in the women's category and Boxing player Norbu Thendup Sherpa in the men's category were chosen as the best young athletes.

In the sports journalism sector, Ajay Phuyal received the Best Sports Journalist (Writing) Award. Sudarshan Ranjit received the award for photojournalist, while Sarita Shrestha was awarded the Best Online Journalist award. The honored athletes and personalities were presented with the awards by Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevanram Shrestha and General Secretary Rajiv Shrestha, among others.

In the ceremony, various personalities and organizations that played a significant role in the development and contribution of Nepali sports were also specially honored with the 'President's Recognition'. Those who received special honors include the President of the Nepal Ex-Players Association, Sharadchandra Memorial Foundation, Thunder Bolts Academy, and former member-secretary of the Bagmati Province Sports Council, Suryalal Bhandari.

The NOC has been organizing this award program annually with the aim of encouraging the contributions of athletes, coaches, sports associations, and sports journalism.