Karate star Erika Gurung and T20 cricket team captain Dipendra Singh Airee have been declared the best athletes of the year. On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of Hamro Khelkud Dot Com, both athletes were honored with a prize of NPR 25,000 each. The event also featured a conclave involving stakeholders discussing the development, infrastructure investment, and commercialization of Nepali sports. (19 Shrawan, Kathmandu)
Erika Gurung was named the best female athlete, while Dipendra Singh Airee was recognized as the best male athlete. The awards were presented today at the 11th anniversary celebration of Hamro Khelkud Dot Com. The prize on Dipendra’s behalf was received by the captain of the national women’s cricket team, Indu Burma. Vice-chairman of the National Sports Council (Rakhap), Vishal Shrestha, and Khet Bhutaney Holdings Director Kalyan Gurung honored both athletes. Erika was felicitated by Rakhap Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta and Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) President Jeevan Ram Shrestha. Each award consisted of NPR 25,000.
The Hamro Khelkud Conclave was held prior to the awards ceremony. The session on infrastructure, investment, protection, women’s sports, and para-sports was moderated by Sarita Shrestha and featured perspectives from NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Karnali Province Sports Council Secretary Ravindra Chand, Paralympic bronze medalist Palesha Govardhan, and South Asian Games gold medalist Santoshi Shrestha. Another session on the realities, challenges, and prospects of sports commercialization in Nepal was led by Prakash Timalsina and included Nepal Cricket Association Secretary Paras Khadka, Nepal Volleyball Association President Jitendra Bahadur Chand, Lalitpur City FC Managing Director Alok Jung Joshi, and Lumbini Lions chairman Ishwar Jishi.
Hamro Khelkud has been honoring athletes since its seventh anniversary and has organized the Hamro Khelkud Conclave since last year.
