Bhawana Ghimire has been recognized as the Best Sports CEO of 2026 for her transformative leadership of the Lumbini Lions, guiding the franchise from a bottom-table position to a historic Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2 championship. Her strategic acumen was instrumental in building a championship-winning culture that prioritized professional scouting, commercial sustainability, and high-performance governance. Under her direction, the Lions not only secured the title but also set a new “international standard” for sports franchises in the region, successfully bridging the gap between corporate excellence and on-field success.

Beyond her domestic triumphs, this award honors Ghimire’s significant contributions to global sports administration through her ongoing work with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Her role in navigating complex governance frameworks and her commitment to professionalizing the sporting ecosystem in South Asia have made her a pivotal figure in international cricket. By balancing local championship glory with high-level global diplomacy, Ghimire has demonstrated a 360-degree command of sports management, establishing herself as a benchmark for executive leadership in the APAC region.