*Handoo, Bhanu, Mitali, Palak, Bilquis among awardees
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Dec 16: The State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is on way in crafting a space on the country’s sports map, can boast of some outstanding sportspersons, who have kept State’s flag high at the National and International scenes.
Presentation of cash awards to 38 outstanding sportspersons of the State today in a investiture ceremony, organized by J&K State Sports Council at Police Auditorium Gulshan Ground here, is really a great initiative by the State Government with regard to promoting sports in the State.
Ace sportspersons of the State, Kuldeep Handoo (wushu), Surya Bhanu Partap Singh (wushu), Palak Kour (gymnastics), Mitali Dogra (gymnastics), Bilquis Mir (kayaking & canoeing) and SP Singh (gymnastics) were among these 38 sportspersons of the State, who were honoured on the occasion.
The other sportspersons honoured on the occasion included Ruhi Saadria, Natasha, Mridul and Pawandeep Kour (all gymnastics); Gobind Singh (Weightlifting), Jagmeet Singh, Dheeraj Kumar, Pradeep Sharma and Anju Bala (Boxing); Rashid Ahmed, Vishal Thapar, Rashid Ahmed, Ujjawal Gupta and Javed Ahmed (all fencing); Mehraj-ud-Din Bujal, Zahoor Ahmed Lattoo, Parvez Ahmed Shagoo, Tariq Ahmed Mattoo, Feroz Ahmed Bhat, Gulzar Ahmed Bujal, Riyaz Ahmed Bujal, Altaf Ahmed Mattoo, Imtiyaz Ahmed Sheikh and Ishfaq Hussain Kand (Kayaking & Canoeing); Pradeep Kumar, Raj Singh Narania and Sandeep Singh (all Wushu); Inderpal Singh (Weightlifting); Anil Wadhera (Boxing); Shotu Lal (Fencing) and Farooq Ahmed Bhat (Kayaking & Canoeing)
They were honoured by the Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology and Technical Education, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari in an investiture ceremony for presentation of cash rewards to medalists of 34th and 35th National Games.
The Minister was the chief guest on the occasion, while Additional Director General of Police (Armed), SM Sahai was the guest of honour.
Director General Youth Services and Sports, Jahangir Mir, Secretary Sports Council, Javaid Ahmed Shah, Joint Secretaries, Zameer Thakur and Shiv Kumar Sharma, while members of Sports Council, medalists and large number of sports lovers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ansari said that a comprehensive plan has been formulated to develop sports infrastructure in the State and hoped that sports shall gain momentum and achieve new heights in days to come.
Mr Ansari said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that we are celebrating the success of our medal winners who have brought laurels to the State by proving their mettle in National Games held at Jharkhand and Kerala.
The Minister said that sports have been given top priority by the present dispensation headed by Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who is also the President of Sports Council. He further said that Government of India has announced Rs 200 crore for development and improvement of sports infrastructure in the State.
Mr. Ansari said that Government is also in process of formulating new sports policy for which series of meetings have been held with the Union Ministry.
The Minister said that there is no dearth of talent in our State and hoped that players of Jammu and Kashmir State achieve new heights with each passing day and added that our sports persons are doing well at national and international levels.
Earlier, the Minister gave away cash prizes amounting to Rs 8 lakh six thousand among medal winners and coaches of Gymnastic, Weightlifting, Box-ing, Kayaking & Canoeing and Wushu.
Impressive vote of thanks was presented by Ranjit Kalra, Vice Chairman Sports Council Jammu and Member BCCI.
The State had won 12 medals with 4 silver and 8 bronze in 34th National Games at Jharkhand in 2011 and 15 medals, with 3 gold, 2 silver and 10 bronze in 35th National Games held at Kerala in 2015.
Mitali was the recipient of highest amount of Rs 1, 33, 000 followed by Palak with Rs 93,000.
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