ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A Kurdish investigative journalist and a sports pundit on Saturday were named the winners of a New York based golden award.

 

The NYX Awards named Rizgar Kochar and Chenar Abdulqadir, both working with The New Region’s media partner AVA Media, as recipients of its golden award on Saturday.

 

The awards are annually granted in recognition of “excellence in the creative and marketing industries,” according to the awards page.

 

Accepting the award, Ava Media said they consider the achievement one of great importance, congratulating their viewers.

 

The Media group said that their outlet has in a short period of time become a trusted source of information for many people after only commencing work on September 15.

 

The first NYX Golden Award went to Kochar, a renowned Kurdish reporter with over two decades of experience in investigative journalism.

 

“The first award was for a humanitarian campaign against narcotics, with the aid of the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council,” AVA Media said. 

 

Speaking to The New Region, Kochar expressed his utmost joy and gratitude for the award.

 

“This made me really happy, I thanks all my colleagues for the support,” he said. “Over the past year I have done 48 reports on narcotics, I have touched sensitive topics because I believe that it poses a great threat to Kurdish society with increasing victims, and such an award is recognition of our work.”

 

Kochar’s work has led to several anti-drug campaigns in the region. 

 

“The series has driven meaningful change, pushing authorities to take action through increased anti-drug campaigns and improved law enforcement efforts. Communities have become more vigilant, with individuals sharing their experiences and seeking help,” the NYX Awards said. “Schools and NGOs have launched awareness initiatives, educating youth on the dangers of substance abuse.”

 

The Kurdistan Region’s authorities have time and again expressed their commitment to combatting the spread of narcotics in the Region.

 

Iraq, with its extensive borders with Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, has evolved from a transit route to a significant drug consumption market.

 

Despite consecutive government cabinet pledges to fight the drug phenomena in the country and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani having ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers across all Iraqi provinces, the country’s infrastructure is still too weak to combat the rapid increase in drug use.

 

Iraqi authorities arrested around 14,500 suspects on drug-related charges in 2024 and issued death sentences for 144 suspected drug traffickers. At least 454 others were sentenced to perpetual imprisonment (20 years in Iraqi law), according to official data.

 

The second NYX Golden Award went to Chenar Abdulqadir, a widely loved and respected sports pundit in the Kurdistan Region.

 

“With an unmatched combination of wit, sports expertise, and engaging commentary, Chenar’s live coverage of global sporting events consistently draws unprecedented numbers,” the NYX Awards said. “His coverage of the Ballon d’Or ceremony alone attracted 64K live viewers—a record-breaking achievement in the region.”

 

Abdulqadir shared a similar excitement to his colleague.

 

“The work we do is new in the Kurdistan Region and the world, which is why we won an award,” Abdulqadir said.

 

“It is true we are targeting a Kurdish audience, but we want to do it in a way that attracts global attention,” he added. “We promise our audience that this is the first step.”

 

“Averaging 50K live viewers per segment and over 2M views per reel, Chenar’s work resonates deeply with sports lovers, solidifying Ava Sports as a leader in the industry in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and in Iraq as a whole,” the NYX said of Abdulqadir’s work.