Annual sports awards of MP govt presented

BHOPAL: Sports department distributed annual sports awards in a function organised at Tatya Tope Stadium on Thursday. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated excellent sportspersons. On the occasion, Chouhan also felicitated the Rio Olympic silver medallist badminton player PV Sindhu who with Rs 50 lakh. Chief minister Chouhan had announced to award Sindhu for winning silver medal with Rs 50 lakh

immediately after she won the medal. Chouhan said Sindhu is pride of the country. He added that Rio Olympic bronze medallist grappler Sakshi Malik will also be honoured. Besides, sportspersons of Madhya Pradesh will be honoured who had participated in the Olympics. CM Chouhan also felicitated hockey coach of Gwalior academy Paramjeet Singh with life time achievement award. Soft ball coach Sudesh Sangte and taekwondo coach Virendra Pawar were presented Vishwamitra award.

Appointment letters of government jobs presented to kayaking player Anjali Vashishth, softball player Riya David, karate player Ajay Yadav, wushu player Ankita Raikwar and softball player Savita.

Addressing the gathering, Sindhu expressed gratitude towards all for support during Rio Olympics. She mentioned that it was not possible without the support and guidance of the coach.

Giving credit for progress and achievements in sports to the chief minister Chouhan, sports minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that it was not possible without making increase in the sports budget. She added that the sports department was a small department in 2006 with a budget of Rs 4 crore only. The budget has been increased exponentially. "There is an enthusiasm and delight among the sportspersons of the sports academies," she said. She mentioned that cooperation of parents and the coach is the key to success.

Director Sports Upendra Jain said Madhya Pradesh's sports strategy to promote sports is being studied by other states. Mount Everest climber mountaineer Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha and Ratnesh Pandey were felicitated with Rs One lakh each. Dignitaries released a book titled "In Pursuit of Excellence" highlighting Madhya Pradesh's achievements and progress in sports, on the occasion.