Cricket proved it’s the best sports in the country once again. This time three of the four prestigious Best Players Award organized by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) went to cricket with national captain Binod Das, U-19 captain Kanishka Chaugai and coach Roy Dias bagging LG NSJF Best Male Player of the Year, LG NSJF Best Rising Player of the Year and LG NSJF Best Coach of the Year awards respectively.
This is the first time in the four edition history of the award that cricket won any award and when it came, it came big.
“It is a great honor especially because it’s given by sports journalists,†Dias, who had been Nepal’s coach for more than five years and brought in dreamy success, said. “It’s more important also because I am a foreigner.†Dias thanked players for playing well to make him proud and Cricket Association of Nepal and his hotel for making his stay pleasant.
Binod and Kanishka, both product of the Kalaiya Cricket Club of a small town, were amazed and happy. “I am feeling great because I wasn’t sure about me,†he added. “It’s great for a sportsperson to know that his performance for a year would be analyzed and counted.â€Â
It was like a parting honor for Kanishka pursuing his further study in USA. “I am obviously proud but sadly I am leaving for USA for the study,†he said. He recently pulled out of the national team for the same reason.
Along with Binod, Paresh Lohani was nominated for the Best Player Award while Gyanendra Malla was nominated for the Rising Player Award.
Fourth edition of the annual award was certainly bigger than anybody’s thought and sponsors LG, Water Shop, ATTSH, Buddha Air and Soaltee Crown Plaza and supports from various sports personalities made it a reality. Each of the winners received Rs. 10000 cash, a mountain flight ticket, and free mineral water for 15 months. All the nominees received a LG wristwatch and gift-hampers from ATTSH along with the trophy from Nepal Sports Journalists Forum.