By Sachit Subba • Off-Field • Jan 06, 2026 14:30 PM • 45 views
POKHARA, Jan 6 – The stage is officially set. For the first time in its two-decade history, Nepal’s most prestigious sporting honor—the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award—has left the confines of the Kathmandu Valley to embrace the scenic backdrop of Pokhara.
The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) confirmed on Tuesday that all preparations for the 22nd edition of the gala are complete. The event, scheduled to take place at the Pokhara City Hall (Sabhagriha), marks a historic shift for the organization, decentralizing the celebration of sporting excellence to the provinces.
On the eve of the main ceremony, the NSJF Academy organized a high-profile Sports Summit on Tuesday. The session brought together stakeholders to discuss the intersection of sports tourism and the local economy, setting the tone for the festivities.
A Historic Shift
NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari expressed visible enthusiasm about the venue change, noting that the move to Pokhara has exceeded expectations.
"We have finalized every detail required for the grand event. Now, we are just eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin," Adhikari stated. "Initially, taking such a massive event outside the capital felt like a daunting challenge. However, upon arriving in Pokhara, we realized there were far more opportunities here than challenges. I believe this event will pave the way for Pokhara to become a premier destination for national and international award ceremonies in the future."
Echoing this sentiment, MB Astha Magar, President of the NSJF Gandaki Coordination Branch, hailed the event as a milestone for the city.
Pokhara has been steadily establishing itself as a sports hub. Hosting the Sports Award here adds a new chapter to our city's sporting history, broadening the horizon of our sports sector," Magar noted.
Partners and Categories
The event is being promoted by the Pokhara Metropolitan City, ensuring strong local government backing.
On the corporate side, Golchha Group continues its long-standing relationship as the primary sponsor under the Pulsar brand. Yeti Airlines has come on board as the 'Powered By' partner. Other key partners include Khalti (Voting Partner) and Kelme Nepal (Clothing Partner).
The ceremony will honor excellence across 10 diverse categories:
- Male Player of the Year
- Female Player of the Year
- Youth Player of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- People’s Choice Award
- Para-Athlete Honor
- Special Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Team of the Year
- Asian Sports Journalist Award
Spotlight on the People's Choice
All eyes are currently on the fiercely contested People's Choice Award, where five top athletes are vying for public votes. The nominees include:
- Bijay Sinjali (Wushu)
- Ivana Thapa (Table Tennis)
- Himal Sunari (Volleyball)
- Puja Mahato (Cricket)
- Rekha Paudel (Football)
As the sun sets over the Annapurnas, the spotlight turns to the City Hall, where Nepal's sporting fraternity will gather to celebrate the heroes who have made the nation proud.
