Mysore/Mysuru: Former Mayor Purushotham has urged District Minister  S.T. Somashekar and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha to recommend the name of senior international sportsperson of city M. Sukumar for the prestigious ‘Padma Shri’ award this year. Addressing a press meet here recently, Purushotham said that Sukumar, who is a swimmer and a handball player of  repute, had represented the State and the country in many national and international meets.

Besides being a good swimmer and a handball player, he has coached individuals and teams, with many of them going on to win medals, he said and added that Sukumar has also rendered service as a sports commentator and administrator.

Pointing out that Sukumar is into sports for over five decades, the former Mayor urged the District Minister, the MP and the State Government to recognise the services of Sukumar and recommend his name for the prestigious award.