Ex- International hockey player and Coach Ranjan Thapa has been awarded with Prabal Jana Sewa Shree award by the Rt. Honourable President Bidya Devi Bhandari on the occasion of Nepalese new year on 14th of April 2022.
Prabal Jana Sewa Shree is one of the highest civilian awards of Nepal. It is awarded to personalities from different walks of life in recognition of their contributions to the nation.
On the ceremony held at Presidential Palace on the occasion of new year, Mr. Thapa becomes the first hockey player or coach to receive the award.
Mr. Thapa has been very active in developing hockey in Nepal and has been the coordinator for Late Girija Prasad Koirala national men’s hockey tournament since its inception 5 years ago. He has also held responsibility as coach of the national team for various international tournaments; Haier Cup (Pakistan 2018), Men’s and women’s indoor Asia Cup (Thailand 2019), HRH Queen Zara women’s Indoor hockey tournament (Malaysia 2019)
Mr. Thapa currently also holds office as president of sports Council employees Union and had represented Nepal in the 1995 South Asian games. After receiving the award Mr. Thapa stated he feels proud to have received the award and believes it has provided him further energy to take hockey to greater heights.