Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) successfully organized the NOC Award 2026, recognizing and celebrating outstanding achievements and contributions to Nepalese sports on the occasion of International Olympic Day.
In the prestigious annual awards ceremony, Bijay Sinjali (Wushu) and Arika Gurung (Karate) were honored as the NOC Best Male Athlete 2026 and NOC Best Female Athlete 2026, respectively, for their remarkable performances and achievements during the year.
In the coaching category, Kushal Shrestha (Karate) was named NOC Best Male Coach 2026, while Harina Thapa (Kabaddi) received the NOC Best Female Coach 2026 award in recognition of their exceptional dedication and contributions to athlete development.
The NOC Best Young Athlete 2026 awards were presented to Nurbu Thendup Sherpa (Boxing) and Shivali Gurung (Tennis) as Best Young Male Athlete and Best Young Female Athlete respectively.
In the media category, Ajay Phuyal, Editor of Kheladi.com, received the NOC Best Sports Print Journalist Award, while Sarita Shrestha, Senior Correspondent of Hamrokhelkud.com, was honored with the NOC Best Online Sports Journalist Award. Sudarshan Ranjit was recognized as the NOC Best Cameraperson 2026.
The Nepal Karate Federation was declared the Best National Sports Federation 2026 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of sports in Nepal.
All athlete award winners received a cash prize of NPR 50,000, along with a trophy and a premium carpet sponsored by New Horizon Carpet Pvt. Ltd.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the prestigious NOC Presidential Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Nepalese sports. The recipients included Ashok Ratna Bajracharya, Chaturananda Rajvaidya, Geeta Rana, Nepal Ex-Sportsman Forum, Pokhara, Sharad Chandra Shah Memorial Foundation, Thunderbolt Sports Academy (GEMS School), Surya Lal Bhandari, and Laxmi Shrestha.
The Panel of the Judges for the NOC Award 2026 were Mr. Amar Singh Shah, Ms. Chhanu Joshi Shrestha, Mr. Gyandendra Malla, Ms. Kiran Bajracharya, Mr. Niranjan Adhikari, Mr. Prachanda Sharma, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, Mr. Prakash Bahadur Shahi and Mr. Raj Bhai Suwal.
Speaking at the ceremony, NOC President Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha congratulated all award recipients and highlighted that the Nepal Olympic Committee has continued to organize the NOC Awards every year as part of the celebration of Olympic Day on June 23.
The program featured a welcome address by Mr. Gopal Sundar Lal Kakshapati, Vice President of the Nepal Olympic Committee and Coordinator of the NOC Award 2026, while NOC Secretary General Mr. Rajiv Shrestha delivered the vote of thanks.
The NOC Award 2026 once again reflected the Nepal Olympic Committee’s commitment to recognizing excellence, dedication, and outstanding contributions that continue to inspire the growth and development of sports in Nepal.
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20th Asian Games