The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cash award presented to sportspersons

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cash award presented to sportspersons

Special Correspondent

It was a memorable event for sports stars of the State

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Recognition: Director-General of Police and Commandant-General of Home Guards Jija S. Harisingh (second from left) and Commissioner of Youth Services and Sports Amar Kumar Pandey (right) at the award presentation function for sportspersons in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: It was a day to recognise those sportspersons who have made Karnataka proud, and the government did not spare any effort in making it a memorable event.

The government gave away cash prizes totalling Rs. 92 lakh, more than any other State, including Tamil Nadu which had given Rs. 41 lakh last year for their sportspersons.

The Yavanika Auditorium here was packed.

Praise

Director-General of Police and Commandant-General of Home Guards Jija S. Harisingh who showered praises on the sportspersons said: “They have made the State proud by their sterling performances in the State, national and international levels” and hoped that the next time around more sportspersons would be there to receive the prizes.

A total of 104 sportspersons were given cash prizes, and they included cricketer Robin Uthappa, bowling coach of the Indian cricket team B.K. Venkatesh Prasad and billiards champion Pankaj Advani.

Among those honoured were V.R. Raghunath, Vikramkanth A.L. Ignatius Tirkey and S.V. Sunil, all members of the Indian hockey team; L. Jayanthi of the national women’s kabaddi team; Devishri K.N. (Judo); Dhanraj Madhav (roller skating); Kavita Radhakrishnan (Special Olympics-athletics); Chetan Appaiah (badminton); Mangala Gowri (Special Olympics-roller skating); Pooja Pai (Special Olympics-basketball); Raghunath Narayanaswamy (Special Olympics-powerlifting); Rajkiran Janumala (Special Olympics-swimming); Rajesh Soomathi (Special Olympics-volleyball); and Ruksana Abubackar (Special Olympics-basketball).

Farman Bhashan, the Indian powerlifter who participated in the Special Olympics, Rehan Poncha and Shikha Tandon (swimming) and 10-year-old Harita R.S. who is already a State champion in gymnastics in her class were the cynosure of all eyes.

Parents’ role

Commissioner of Youth Services and Sports Amar Kumar Pandey acknowledged the role played by the parents of the sportspersons.

“There are so many parents and elders who have made sacrifices for their children to reach this level,” Mr. Pandey said.

State javelin champion Sharatraj, who is with the Railways, despite being present at the function, requested the organisers to allow his coach Ravi to receive the honour.

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