April 12, 2015
 Nepal international Santosh Sahukhala, former Nepal international Bhagawati Thapa, former FIFA Asst. Referee Madhusudan Kharel, coach Maheshwor Mulmi and former FIFA Women’s Assistant Referee Pema Dolma Lama on Sunday bagged this year’s Rupak Memorial Award for their contribution to Nepal football.
At the award ceremony held at the ANFA Complex, the five winners along with the award were rewarded with a purse of Rs. 100,000 each and a Yamaha YBR motorbike each.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Nita Sharma, window of Rupak Sharma, said that the award given by the All Nepal Football Association since 2053 has been motivating those involved in football to do better.
“Rupak Ji was a very dedicated person in life. He was honest and a true lover of football. I would like to thank the All Nepal Football Association for recognizing his contribution,” she said.
 Rupak Sharma, former captain of the Nepal national team, served as a FIFA referee after his retirement from football. He died in plane crash while returning from Pakistan in 1992.
Minister for Youth and Sports Purshottam Paudel spoke about the need of sporting infrastructure for the development of the game.
He gave examples of the development taking place in the neighbouring countries and the success they have achieved over the years.
Chief guest of the programme, Chairman of the CPN UML KP Sharma Oli, who is also a member of the constituent assembly, said that Nepali players have the potentials to rise even higher.
Giving examples of the Nepali mountaineers, who have over the years made a name for themselves in mountaineering all over the world, Sharma said that Nepali players are capable of achieving more in the international arena.
Likewise, Acting President of ANFA Lalit Krishna Shrestha said that Nepali players need to learn a lot from late Sharma who was a leader both on and off the pitch.
“He was not only a great player, he was also a good human being. He was a disciplined and honest in his work. All Nepali players should learn from him to enhance their career,” said Shrestha.
Career Highlight of the Award Recipients
Pema Dolma Lama
Profession: Inspector Nepal Police
Past:

• Represented Nepal national team as a player in the 12^th Asian Women’s Championship in Philippines in 1999.
• First international goal scorer of Nepal. The goal was against Uzbekistan.
• Nepal National team skipper in the year 2000 in a friendly against India.
• FIFA Assistant Referee since 2001 – 2010
• FIFA Referee Instructor after her retirement from active refereering. She is the first and the only Woman National Referee Instructor.

Maheshowor Mulmi
Profession: Coach
Career Highlight

• Third SAG Games Silver Medalist in 1987 (Kolkotta) (Asst. Coach)
• Bronze medalist in First SARRC Gold Cup Football Tournament Lahore, 1993 (Asst. Coach)
• Gold Medalist VI SAG Games in Dhaka in 1993. (Asst. Coach)
• Silver Medalist Eight SAG Games in Kathmandu in 1999. (Asst. Coach)
• Silver Medalist in XXVI All India Governors’ Gold Cup 2004. (Head Coach)
• National Football since 1970-1980

Bhagwati Thapa
Profession: Armed Police Force
Career Highlights

• Represented Nepal in Asian U-19 Women’s Championship in China in 2004
• Silver Medalist in 11^th South Asian Games in Dhaka, 2010
• Silver Medalist in First Women’s SAFF Championship in Sri Lanka in 2010
• Silver Medalist in First Women’s SAFF Championship in Bangladesh in 2012
• Club football from APF

 Madhusudan Khanal
Career Highlights

• Assistant FIFA Referee from 1999-2010
• Officiated matches in the 12^th Asian Cup Championship Qualifying Matches – Group 10- Macau
• Officiated matches in FIFA World Cup Qualifying round- Oman 2003
• Officiated matches in King’s Cup, Thimpu
• Officiated matches in AFC U-20 Championship Qualifying Round- Kolkata 2002

 Santosh Sahukhala
Profession: Player
Career Highlights

• Debut in domestic football from Three Star Club in 2003
• Won the A Division League 2012-13 as a captain
• Debut in National team in 2007
• 2011-2013- Played for League champion Manang Marshyangdi Club
• Played in Bangladesh club Abhani Limited and Maldives Club All Youth Linkage