BHOPAL, 19 April — Forty-six outstanding players and coaches in various disciplines have been honored with Madhya Pradesh sports awards — Vikram, Eklavya and Vishwamitra for the years 2000 and 2001. The awards were presented at a glittering function by the Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi here recently. The function was presided over by the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh. Sports Minister of the State Bala Bachchan was also present on the occasion.
For the year 2000 eleven senior sportspersons had been selected for the Vikram awards, eight juniors for the Eklavya and three coaches for the Vishwamitra awards. While for the year 2001 twelve sportspersons were short-listed for the Vikram awards (seven women and five men), nine sportspersons were selected for the Eklavya awards of which two were girls and seven boys. The Vishwamitra awardees for the year 2001 were all three men in the disciplines of wrestling , basketball and handball.
After the awards presentation ceremony by Suresh Kalmadi, Chief Minister Digvijay Singh felicitated some of the outstanding sportspersons of Madhya Pradesh, the central province of India, who brought laurels bagging the coveted Arjuna awards and other awards by presenting them mementos. Among them were Syed Jalaluddin (former hockey Olympian), Ms Madhu Yadav and Krishna Shankar Patel. Speaking on the occasion Suresh Kalmadi said there was a national plan for the promotion of Olympic sports. Earlier, Sports Minister Bala Bachchan while highlighting the achievements of the state players in the recently concluded National Games held at Ludhiana and appealed chief minister for the enhancement of sports budget for infrastructural development. Chief Minister Digvijay Singh in his speech stressed on strengthening basic sports facilities and on its optimum utilization.
Meanwhile, the award presentation ceremony was marred by the protest organized by some die-hard hockey enthusiasts who took out a procession at the TT Nagar stadium gate, the venue of the function. Around 30-40 hockey players, mostly children and some national players waved placards inscribed with ‘Kya Hum Hockey Khelna Chhor Dein’ and ‘Isme Hamara Kya Dosh Hai’; ‘Kya Bhopal Ki Hockey Mar Gayee Hai’ to attract the attention of IOC President Suresh Kalmadi and Chief Minister Digvijay Singh about the raw deal the hockey received by the award selection committee members.
