Madhya Pradesh sports department’s highest sports awards for players and coaches will be presented at a function likely on November 7. Union sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore will be the chief guest.
The dates for the function would be confirmed soon after chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s consent.
The sports department is planning to make this year’s annual sports awards function a grand affair. The department has decided to invite Union sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Rio Olympic stars Sakshi Malik, gymnast Deepa Karmakar, Paralympic Rio medallists Mariyappan Thangavelu and Devendra Jhajharia.
Sources said money which was announced by the CM Chouhan for the Rio Olympic medallist will be given on the occasion.
Sports minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said her effort is to provide the best infrastructure possible for the players of the state. “These awards are for sportspersons and we want to award every talent available in the state,” said Scindia.
According to sports department, ten players including five girls will receive Vikram award (seniors), 14 players will be presented Eklavya awards (Junior). Lifetime achievement award will be presented to late Prabhakar Kulkarni for his invaluable efforts in cricket, kho-kho and kabaddi.
Prabhash Joshi award for promoting malkhamb will be presented to Chandra Shekhar Chouhan of Ujjain.
Vikram award recipients: Prinvce Parmar (Teekamgarh, kyakaing-caneoing), Sweccha Jatav (Jabalpur, wushu), Sanjay Singh Rathore (Agar-malwa,shooting), Sona Keer (Bhopal, rowing), Reena Scindia (Jabalpur, karate), Shaila Charles (Bhopal, sailing), Affan Yousuf (Bhopal, hockey), Narendra Samelia (Indore, kho-kho) and Sarita Raikwar (Jabalpur, powerlifting) and Dharmendra Ahirwar (Gwalior, swimming, disabled).
Eklavya award recipients: Manisha Keer (Bhopal, shooting), Pratyaksh Soni (Bhopal, soft-tennis), Priyam Jain (Ashok Nagar, wushu), Mala Keer (Bhopal, kayaking-canoeing), Sudipti Hajela (Indore, equestrian), Titiksha Marathe (Indore, swimming), Vishwajeet Sendhav (Bhopal, rowing), Harshita Tomar (Bhopal, sailing), Piyush Singh (Jabalpur, weightlifting), Palash Samadhiya (Shivpuri, karate), Achit Kaur (Gwalior, fencing), Jyoti Parkhe (Indore, softball), Akash Rudele (Indore, Kabaddi) and Ishika Shah (Indore, snooker).
