Pokhara Steps into the Spotlight with NSJF Pulsar Sports Award
Pokhara Metropolitan City has taken a significant step by becoming the promoter of the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award, an event that will be held in the city for the first time. This marks a historic moment as the award, which has traditionally been hosted in Kathmandu, now finds its new venue in Pokhara.
The partnership was formalized through a promotional agreement signed between the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) and the Pokhara Metropolitan City. The signing took place during a press conference held in Pokhara on Wednesday, where key figures from both organizations were present.
NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari and Pokhara Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya signed the memorandum on behalf of their respective organizations. The ceremony is set to take place at the Pokhara Event Centre, coinciding with the Pokhara Visit Year 2025. Mayor Acharya emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting the event both financially and morally.
“Poohara is capable of hosting major national and international events,” said Acharya. “Bringing Nepal’s most prestigious sports award here will enhance our city’s image and strengthen its sporting identity. The metropolitan city will stand firmly behind the event.”
The mayor also highlighted the city’s growing calendar of weekly events and expressed his vision to transform Pokhara into a hub for sports tourism. He believes that hosting such a high-profile event will contribute to this goal.
NSJF President Adhikari acknowledged the challenges involved in taking the award outside Kathmandu but emphasized the decision was made to give the event a broader national scope. He noted that the support from the Pokhara Metropolitan City was crucial in making this possible.
“As this also coincides with Pokhara Visit Year, we hope the award will contribute meaningfully to that campaign as well,” Adhikari said.
The NSJF Pulsar Sports Award holds a special place on the official calendar of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), the global body representing sports journalists, and AIPS-Asia, its Asian chapter. This recognition underscores the prestige and significance of the award.
MB Aastha Magar, president of NSJF Gandaki Province, described hosting an internationally recognized award in Pokhara as a proud moment. He expressed confidence that this experience would be valuable in organizing a potential Gandaki Sports Award in the future.
Magar thanked the central NSJF for choosing Pokhara as the host and welcomed the city’s role as the award’s promoter. He also praised the efforts of the organizers and the local community in ensuring the success of the event.
This year’s award ceremony will honor athletes and sports figures across 10 categories: Male, Female, and Youth Players of the Year; Coach of the Year; People’s Choice Award; Para-athlete Award; Team of the Year; Special Award; Lifetime Achievement Award; and Asian Sports Journalist Award.
NSJF General Secretary Anjan Khadka informed that winners in the Male, Female, Youth, Coach, and People’s Choice categories will receive Pulsar motorcycles. Winners in the remaining categories will receive cash prizes of Rs100,000 each.
The event promises to be a celebration of excellence in sports and a platform to recognize outstanding contributions to the field. With Pokhara at the center, the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Award is set to make a lasting impact on the city’s sporting landscape.