Flash Back to 2077 : Major Achivements of Sports

Kathmandu. The first day and the last day of the year are always special. There is only one day left to start the Nepali year 2078. Nepali are preparing to bid farewell to 2077 BS and welcome the new year.

In the last week of December 2019, the Corona virus, which started in Wuhan, China, spread like a plague around the world, leaving 2077 in dire straits. Due to the epidemic, the country was totally stopped for more than six months.

All activities of Nepali sports came to a standstill. But when sports activities gradually gained momentum, it remained pleasant in terms of achievements.

Looking back at the sports activities of 2077 BS 

Nepal wins tri-national football final: Wins title at home after 37 years 

Nepal won the final match of the tri-national football. Nepal clinched the ‘Three Nations Cup’ title by defeating Bangladesh 2-1 on March 30.

After winning the match at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor, Nepal also received 5,000 US dollars as a prize.

After 37 years, Nepal has won this title at home. Earlier, Nepal had won the title at home in 1984. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also visited the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor to watch the match.

Biraj Maharjan retires from international football 

Defender Biraj Maharjan, who was introduced as the most successful captain, announced his retirement from international football on April 3.

Defender Biraj has announced his retirement from international football after defeating Bangladesh to win the tri-nation cup. Biraj’s retirement made Nepal happy after winning the title. Biraj, the second batch of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA Academy), has announced his retirement after playing his 73rd international playing career.

Putting an end to the journey of one and a half years of international goalless Nepali football, Biraj also got a golden opportunity to have a happy ending when Nepal clinched the international title on the Nepali field after 37 years. Biraj was happy and emotional when he was able to end his football career by lifting the title.

Biraj, who made his international friendly debut against Pakistan in Pokhara in 2008, has surpassed Raju Shakya’s 68 cap to become the highest-scoring player for Nepal.

Biraj, who has captained the Nepali team a total of 18 times, wore the captain’s armband against India in the 2015 SAAF Championship in Kerala. Biraj, who played football in and out of various clubs and national teams, had last played a friendly match against Malaysia in 2019.

Under the captaincy of Biraj, who won three league titles for Three Star, Manang Marshyangdi, Nepal won the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in 2016 and the Solidarity Cup of the same year. Biraj was the captain when Nepal won the gold medal in men’s football at the 12th South Asian Games.

Announcing the retirement of any player who has dedicated his life to sports is a very painful moment. Biraj, who is considered as a successful defender, will always be remembered by Nepali football as a successful captain and disciplined player.

Sandeep, the first Nepali player to play in England’s T20 Blast 

Nepali cricket national team leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has become the first Nepali player to play in England’s domestic T20 cricket tournament ‘Vitality T20 Blast’. Worcestershire had signed Sandeep for the 2021 season.

Sandeep was involved in the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bass League BBL T20 cricket in Australia.
In the draft PSL and in the most expensive category, Sandeep is in the draft for the upcoming edition of Pakistan Super League PSL. This time Sandeep’s name is in Platinum.

In the draft of PSL, players are placed in 5 categories. Platinum is the most expensive category. The best cricketers in this category are Chris Gayle, Moin Ali, Colin Ingram, Imran Tahir, Malan, Chris Lynn, Rashid Khan, Mujib Ur Rehman.

Players drafted in the Platinum category can be bought by any team from US 117,000 to US 218,000. A total of 300 players from Pakistan and abroad, including Sandeep, have been included in the draft list made public by the PCB.

Nepal Police clinched the Mayor’s Cup title 

Nepal Police Club clinched the title of the first edition of Kathmandu Mayor’s Cup One-Day Men’s Cricket Tournament this year. In the final, Police defeated APF Club by 8 wickets to become the champions.

Women’s League Football APF Champion 

The APF Club of the Armed Police Force won the National Women’s League Football title. APF, unbeaten in 11 consecutive games, had already become the champion two games ago.

Prince’s leap in badminton, ranked third in the world  

Young badminton star Prince Dahal Jr. has risen to the third position in the world rankings of badminton. According to a new ranking released by the World Federation of Badminton, badminton star Prince Jr. has risen to the third position in the world rankings.

Above him are Varun Kapoor of India and Mads M्सller of Denmark. Prince has achieved great success in junior badminton so far.

Pulsar Sports Award Gaurika and Mandekaji Player of the Year 

Gaurika Singh of swimming and Mandekaji Shrestha of karate won the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award for the best male and female athlete of the year organized by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum. Gauri has won the best player award after Anu Adhikari of Karate, Ayesha Shakya of Taekwondo, Santoshi Shrestha of Athletics and Soni Gurung of Triathlon.

Gaurika won four gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the 13th South Asian Games. She equaled the record of Deepak Bista of Taekwondo who won the most gold in green. Gaurika had won 12 gold medals in the eighth National Games. Gaurika even set a record for playing in the Olympics at an early age. He has already confirmed that he will play in the Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

Mandekaji won the award, surpassing Subash Tamang of golf, Kamal Shrestha of taekwondo, Gopichandra Parki of analytics and Vikesh Kuthu of football. All of these athletes won gold medals at the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal last year. In the competition, Mandekaji won two gold medals in karate and singles. He won gold in the singles category and silver in the team category at the Eighth National Games.

Women’s volleyball team declared the best of the year 

Nepali National Women’s Volleyball Team has been declared the best team of the year 2076 BS. The women’s volleyball team has won the Team of the Year award at the Pulsar Sports Awards 2076 organized by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum NSJF.

People’s Choice Award to Aruna of Volleyball 

Volleyball captain Aruna Shahi won the People’s Choice Award based on voting. She won the award with the highest number of votes.

Corona winning cricketer Kundan Singh passes away 

National cricketer Kundan Singh passed away on Sunday. Kundan, who was suffering from kidney disease, died at his home in Jaleshwor Municipality at the age of 23.

Kundan had beaten Corona last summer. Kundan played in the Prime Minister’s Cup National Cricket Tournament in Kathmandu two years ago.

Dave Whatmore as the head coach of the national cricket team 

In 2077, the Nepal Cricket Association (NCA) appointed Dave Whatmore as the head coach of the national cricket team.

CAN had appointed Whatmore as the head coach of Nepal’s senior cricket team through open competition.