Bhopal, August 29 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Sports awards namely Eklavya (to junior) and Vikram (to senior) along with Vishwamitra (to coaches) were presented to outstanding sportspersons in the newly constructed auditorium of Tatya Tope Nagar Stadium here on Sunday at a glittering function.
Abrar Khan and Nafees Qureshi figured among the outstanding sportspersons in the list of 26 sports awards in different disciplines which were presented by central Indian state Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Chouhan called upon sportspersons to exhibit their talent and sporting skills to score achievements for the Madhya Pradesh state. The State Government is committed to provide world class sports facilities. No impediments would be allowed to obstruct promotion of sports and sportspersons.
Chouhan said that excellent coaching facilities would be provided for better training to sportspersons. Talented sportspersons would even be sent abroad for advance training and coaching if needed. The Chief Minister said that the sportspersons honored for their outstanding performances would be given government jobs to enable them continue their practice. There is no dearth of budget to promote sports, develop world class sports infrastructure. He said that great sports personalities have been born in Madhya Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Chouhan paid tributes to great hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand in whose memory August 29 is celebrated as “Sports Day” every year in India.
Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Tukoji Rao Puar extended greetings to sportspersons on the occasion of Sports Day saying that the Madhya Pradesh has taken bold steps for development of sports facilities and promoting sportspersons under the leadership of Chief Minister. Major decisions like giving government jobs to Vikram Awardees are commendable. Gesture of helping the women hockey team pro-actively is a welcome step, he added.
Presiding over the function, Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi said that in a short span of five years Madhya Pradesh has made its presence felt on the country’s sports map scoring a number of achievements. E expressed happiness that the Sports Department’s budget has been increased 15-fold in last five years. He congratulated the Chief Minister, Sports Minister and officers of Sports Department and sportspersons on getting national sports promotion award.
Olympian and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee wrestler Sushil Kumar, who was special guest on the occasion, appreciated the Chief Minister and the State Government for initiatives to provide world-class sports facilities. He hoped that the sportspersons would certainly add to the glory of the state in sports.
The Chief Minster conferred Eklavya, Vikram and Vishvamitra Awards for 2010 to outstanding sportspersons. Honouring the achievements of Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar, a cheque for Rs. 200,000 was presented to him.
Those who got Eklavya Award included: Surabhi Pathak (Shooting), Sachin Singha (Sailing), M. Aruna Devi (Kyaking), Pratul Joshi (Badminton), Amit Singh Gusai (Fencing), Ajay Yadava (Karate), Arti Sing (Softball), Shradha Yadava (Wu-Shu), Abrar Khan (Taekwondo), Priti Singh (Boxing), Asmit Goyle (Swimming), Rishabh Mehta (Horse Riding) and Yashoda Madaria (Mallakhamb).
The Vikram Awardees included: Mahenra Singh (Shooting), Sandhya Chandrakar (Karate), Nafees Qureshi (Canoeing-Kyaking) Nakul Malhotra (Taekwondo), Krishna Thapa (Boxing) Himalaya Vishwakarma (Fencing), Babita Mandlik (Women Cricket), Ujjwala (Kabaddi), Devendra Singh (Power-lifting) and in disabled category Vinita Pathak (Swimming). On behalf of Mahendra Singh his coach Hari Prakash received the award while Saeed Qureshi father of Nafees Qureshi received the award on behalf of his son.
Vishwamitra Award was presented to Hari Prakash in shooting; to Yogesh Malviya in Mallakhabh and Bhupendra Singh Chouhan in Fencing.
The Chief Minister handed over appointment orders for government jobs to 21 Vikram awardees. Saba Khan - Karate Vikram Awardees of 2007, Jagjit Singh Mand Taekwondo 2008 Vikram Awardee, and those of 209 including Jagrati, Shilpa – Wu-Shu, Sunil-Kyaking, Atul Jat-Taekwondo, Sachin Kasture-Softball, Dilip Sharma – power-lifting received appointment letters.
Secretary Sports V. S. Niranjan, Director Sports Sanjay Choudhary, Award winners and their families were present during the function. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated gymnasium hall and dedicated to people state Martial Art Academy. He also released a souvenir brought out on the occasion. (pervezbari@et.net)
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