CM Siddaramaiah presents Ekalavya awards – 2015 to 16 Sportspersons
Mysuru: The State Ekalavya awards for 2015 were presented to 16 sportspersons for their outstanding performance in their chosen sport, here on Friday, October 7.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave away the awards at the packed JK Grounds Mysuru. The award programme was organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
The Ekalavya award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, besides an impressive trophy. The Kreeda Ratna and lifetime awardees were richer by Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively.
In recognition of their exceptional service in the field of sports and mentoring sporting talent, the Lifetime Achievement awards were presented for the year 2015 to two persons.
The Karnataka Kreeda Rathna-2015 awards were given for encouraging and promoting indigenous and rural sports, to 10 persons.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “If there is one area where there is no caste, creed or religion, it is sports. It is the sportsmen who play the role of ambassadors thereby helping countries to foster better ties. The government is anytime ready to strengthen the area of sports.”
District In-charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister Pramod Madhwaraj, MLAs Vasu, Somashekhar, Mayor B L Bhyrappa, MLC Govindraj and Deputy Commissioner D Randeep were present.
Those who received the Ekalavya awards are: Damini K. Gowda (swimming), Vidya Pillai (billiards), Pawan Shetty (body building), Nitin Thimmaiah (hockey), Rajguru S. (kabaddi), Krishna A. Naikodi (cycling), Arvind A. (basketball), Arpita M. (athletics), Mohammed Rafiq Holi (wrestling), Meghan M. Sajjanar (rifle shooting), Dhriti Tatachar Venugopal (lawn tennis), Anupam D’Costa (volleyball), G.M. Nischita (shuttle badminton), Shawad G.M. (para-athletics), Umesh R. Khade (para swimming) and Kanchan Munnolkar (weight lifting).
Coaches John Christopher Nirmal Kumar (swimming) and Shivananda R. (wrestling) received the Lifetime Achievement award.
Receipents of the Karnataka Kreeda Rathna awards include D N Rudraswami (yoga), Purnima P. (throwball), Amogh U. Chachadi (Atya-Patya), Ranjit M.P. (ball badminton), Pradeep K.C. (kho-kho), Sumith U.M. (kabaddi), Jeevandhar Ballal and Anand Irvathur (kambala), Anand L. (wrestling), and Moshappa Vittappa Gulbala (gundu ethuvudu).