The pulsating heart of Nepal’s sports scene is about to erupt! 

The 20th NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards, the glitziest night of the year, is just around the corner, and the People’s Choice race is a barn-burner already. Initially, a January 24th date and minor technical hiccups pushed the ceremony to 11th February, but the wait will be worth it.

This year’s People’s Choice Award nominees are a powerhouse lineup; each athlete etched their name in their respective sports. Football captain Anant Tamang led Church Boys United to glory and Lalitpur City FC to Nepal Super League dominance. His heroics extend to the national team, with a crucial goal against Laos and even a stint in the Indian Super League. Karate sensation Biplavlal Shrestha is a force to be reckoned with, a World Sitoryo Karate Championship silver medalist and a national games gold medalist who even dazzled at the Asian Games.

On the court, volleyball queen Niruta Thagunna reigns supreme. A national games gold medalist and the best spiker in the National Women’s Volleyball, she spearheaded Nepal’s bronze-medal charge at the Kava Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup and captained them to the Keshavlal Smriti title. Fitness trailblazer Rajni Shrestha is another nominee who demands attention by breaking barriers and stereotypes. An Asian Bodybuilding Championship gold medalist and a national games champion, she redefines what it means to be strong and inspires a generation. Rounding out the pack is Sikka Suwal, the undisputed table tennis queen. National champion in doubles and a force in singles and team events, her ascent to the world’s 510th ranking and appearances at the Asian Games and Asian Championship speak volumes about her global prowess.

The voting? A multi-faceted masterpiece. Sports journalists, national coaches, and fans get a say, with 50% of the votes coming from e-services, 25% from Facebook (official channels only), and the remaining weight equally distributed between the chief coaches of 26 national sports associations and the Nepal Olympic Committee. This is one race where every vote counts.