In memory of the Late Sharad Chandra Shaha, the SCSMF Sports Award 2025 presentation ceremony was organized on June 27th 2025 at Hotel Royal Singi, Kamaladi, Kathmandu.
Raju Kaji Shakya, legendary player, captain and coach of the Nepalese national men’s football team, and Aruna Shahi, current captain of the Nepalese national women’s volleyball team, have been honored with the SCSMF Sports Award 2025.
The foundation was established in November 2020 by the family of the late Sharad Chandra Shaha to honor his legacy. Since last year, SCSMF has been honoring one veteran and one emerging athlete who have made significant contributions to Nepalese sports with this award. Shakya and Shahi each received a cash prize of NPR 250,000 along with the certificate of honor. The awards were presented by Renu Shaha, wife of the late Shaha who is also the chairperson of the Sharad Chandra Shaha Memorial Foundation.
In the inaugural award ceremony last year, the foundation had recognized the contributions of marathon legend Baikuntha Manandhar and karate star Arika Gurung.
Nepalese football legend Shakya had won gold medals in the South Asian Games (SAG) as a player, captain, and coach. Dedicating his life to football, Shakya had made significant contributions to Nepalese football as both a player and a coach for many years. Upon receiving the award, Shakya expressed that it has further motivated and inspired him to continue contributing to the nation.
Similarly, under Aruna Shahi’s captaincy, the Nepalese women’s volleyball team has achieved consistent success in the recent years. Under her leadership, Nepal won two consecutive gold medals in the AVC Asian Women’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship and a historic silver medal in the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) held in Nepal in 2019. Additionally, Nepal became runners-up twice in the KAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship under her captaincy. Aruna, who debuted for the national team in 2012, has been leading the women’s volleyball team since 2019. After receiving the award, Shahi expressed gratitude and stated that such recognition would motivate upcoming athletes to raise their performance.
During the program, former minister Niranjan Thapa highlighted Shaha’s contributions and leadership, recalling his pivotal role in the advancement of Nepalese sports. “The leap forward in Nepalese sports is the true tribute to Shaha,” he said.
ANFA Spokesperson, Suresh Shah remarked that the current football infrastructure has been built on the one previously built by the late Shaha. He also highlighted the contributions made by Raju Kaji Shakya to make Nepalese football succeed in the international arena.
Jitendra Bahadur Chand, president of the Nepal Volleyball Association, also praised Aruna Shahi’s leadership and contributions, noting that significant developments in Nepalese sports occurred during Sharad Chandra Shaha’s tenure.
Shaha’s daughter, Mihika Shaha remarked that sports is a medium capable of uniting the diverse people of Nepal and expressed her commitment to build a bright future for the Nepalese sports.
Shaha’s grandson, Savir Chandra Shaha thanked everyone present during the program and expressed his commitment to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy and continue working in the future to promote Nepalese sports.
Highlights from the Event
