‘Samba’ to receive PM National Talent Award 2081
The announcement was made today during the main ceremony of National Democracy Day 2081 at Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
KATHMANDU: Nepali national women’s football team forward, Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba,’ has been selected for the Prime Minister National Talent Award 2081.
The government honors outstanding individuals across various fields through this award, with ten recipients chosen this year.
Samba has been recognized in the sports category.
The announcement was made today during the main ceremony of National Democracy Day 2081 at Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
The awards will be formally presented in a special ceremony.
Samba, Nepal’s all-time top goal scorer in international football, is currently playing in Europe.
She is affiliated with the top-tier French club En Avant Guingamp, having previously played for Israel’s Hapoel Raanana last season.
She has also dominated India’s top-division league, winning the title twice as the highest goal scorer.
Earlier in her career, she led Nepal APF Club to the national league championship.
Other awardees include:
- Dr. Chhiring Lama (Sindhupalchowk) – Telemedicine
- Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa (Morang) – Science & Technology Innovation
- Purnima Shrestha (Gorkha) – Record-Holding Mountaineer
- Abhash Maskey (Kathmandu) & Hari Ram Shrestha (Gorkha) – Science & Technology
- Dr. Om Murti Anil (Mahottari) – Medicine
- Rabindra Puri (Bhaktapur) – Heritage Conservation
- Dilshova Shrestha (Kathmandu) & Ramji Adhikari (Gorkha) – Humanitarian & Social Service
Established by the Council of Ministers in 2075, the award initially aimed to honor two talents annually with a cash prize of Rs 500,000 each.
In 2076, three individuals across two categories were awarded.
However, the distribution was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
