CM exhorts to achieve excellence in sports

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa presented ‘Ekalavya’, ‘Kreeda Ratna’ and ‘Kreeda Poshaka’ awards at a colourful function organised by Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said it was the wish of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Indian sports persons must win the maximum number of medals in 2028 Olympics to be held in Los Angeles. In this, the contribution of Karnataka sports persons must be significant. Modi also wanted India to be in league of top ten nations in winning the maximum number of medals. Efforts were going on in this endeavour. The athletes must not be satisfied just by winning the medals but must strive hard to hoist the Indian Tricolour in international sports events. “You must give attention to your health too,” he added.

Yediyurappa said Ekalavya, a character in the epic Mahabharata was an ace archer and he gave away his right thumb as ‘Guru Dakshina’ to his mentor. In his name, the State Government would give the award for achieving excellence in sports. Ekalavya was a role model for the youths to achieve whatever possible in their respective fields. 

Even the coaches were being encouraged for working as the force behind in preparing the athletes. The Government of India has effectively implemented programmes like Khel India and Fit India and the Government of Karnataka is ready to extend all its co-operation.

Tourism, Kannada & Culture and Sports Minister C.T. Ravi, who too spoke, said sports will be part of curriculum in the New Education Policy (NEP) and it will come into effect from the next academic year. Thereafter, sports will get the same importance as other subjects. The State Govt. could not present Ekalavya and other awards since last 3 years due to some reasons and they are given now. 

However, the function was held in simple manner due to COVID-19. The Government has decided to reimburse the annual fees of sports persons and give other facilities like scholarships. Karnataka has the credit of having the maximum number of synthetic track. “I want every athlete to realise dreams of Modi to bag maximum number of medals in 2028 Olympics,” he added.

Dy.CM Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan, Revenue Minister R. Ashok and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad were present.

Kodagu district gets lion’s share

Sports persons from Kodagu district have bagged maximum number of awards announced by the DYES for 2017, 2018 and 2019. While three hockey players have won ‘Ekalavya Award’, another hockey player has got ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and two Ball Badminton players have bagged ‘Kreeda Ratna Award.’

Ekalavya Award

Kambiranda Ponnamma (Mallamada), an international hockey player from Ponnampet in Kodagu, had represented the country for the first time and has bagged the award for the year 2017.

While Chendanda Nikin Thimmaiah, Olympic hockey player, has bagged the award for 2018, another intl. hockey player Puliyanda L. Thimmanna of Virajpet has bagged the award for 2019.

Lifetime Achievement

Channapanda Prince Karumbaiah, a hockey player and senior coach, has been awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’  He had played major role in bringing synthetic track to Sports Authority of India, Madikeri.

Kreeda Ratna Award

B.D. Lavanya hails from Basavanahalli in Somwarpet taluk and has achieved excellence in Ball Badminton. She has bagged the award for 2018. Pallavi of Shivaralli in Kodlipet of Madikeri, is another Ball Badminton player who has bagged Kreeda Ratna award for the same year.

While Ekalavya Award carries a bronze statue of Ekalavya and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh, Life Achievement Award carries a cash reward of Rs. 1.5 lakh and Kreeda Ratna carries a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh and a citation.

Where did you buy this bangle?

Yenamma yelli tagonde bale” (Where did you buy this bangle?) was a casual query by CM B.S. Yediyurappa to an ‘Ekalavya’ awardee during the award ceremony yesterday.

The CM, who is otherwise found reserved, indulged in a casual talk with swimmer Kushi Dinesh of Bengaluru who was seated to receive the honour. Kushi, in response to the CM, said: “No sir, this is not gold bangle.” Smilingly, the CM said: “When you attend such functions, you should wear a gold bangle.” He also asked in which sports you have won the award to which she said ‘swimming’ with a broad smile on her face.

Namma Mysuru achievers

While a daughter of a mason has bagged ‘Ekalavya’ award, another girl of agricultural labourer parents and son of a person who works in a small hotel have bagged ‘Kreeda Ratna’ award. All the three hail from Mysuru district. Born and brought up in poverty, these three athletes are trying to find a bright future in sports.

Reena George

She is the daughter of Varghese George and Catherine of Mysuru. Her father works as mason. She has bagged Ekalavya award for the year 2017 for her achievements in State and National athletic (Running) event. She was guided by B.G. Manjunath, Anand Shetty, Balu Shetty, Damodhar, Indian Camp Coach B.G. Vijay and Riyaz Mohammed to achieve the feat. It was her uncle Lazar who identified the hidden talent in her and encouraged her to take up sports. “I will participate in the coming Olympics and win the medal for my country,” said Reena, who is employed with Central Excise & Customs, Mysuru.

M. Veena

An ace kho-kho player, she is daughter of Mahadevaswamy and Madalambika, both agricultural labourers who work in fields at Kurubur village in T. Narasipur taluk. She has bagged Kreeda Ratna award for the year 2017. She has been practicing for the last 10 years. So far, she has participated in 40 national level tournaments and an international event. She has bagged gold medal in South Asian Games Championship held in Assam in 2016. In 2019, Veena secured gold in 53rd Seniors National event in Chhattisgarh. She is a recipient of Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai Award. She is being coached by Manjunath since 2010.

Rakshit

He is the son of Shankar and Geetha. His father runs a small hotel in Mysuru. He has secured Kreeda Ratna award for this excellent achievement in Kabaddi for the year 2019. Rakshit had represented Karnataka for 4 times and national team for 5 times. His team had bagged gold medal in Asian Championship (2016). He has played in senior national level tourney. He has played for ‘Telugu Titans’ team in Pro-Kabaddi event. He was coached by Anil Kumar of Young Star Sports Club and Satish Kumar of Alva’s. “I have passion for this sport since my childhood days. Everything is possible if you have aim in your life,” he said.