Sindhu named Sportsperson of The Year in TSJA awards

P. V. Sindhu, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, was named the Sportsperson of The Year. All England champion Pullela Gopichand was given ‘the best coach of the year’ award.

The recipients of the inaugural Telangana Sports Journalists Association awards in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Rio Olympics silver medallist P. V. Sindhu was named the ‘Sportsperson of The Year’ and former India off-spinner N. Shivlal Yadav was given ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the inaugural Telangana Sports Journalists Association awards for the year 2016 at the Park Hotel here on Saturday.

Telangana sports minister T. Padma Rao Goud presented the ‘best team of 2016’ award to Sunrisers Hyderabad which won last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). Team mentor V. V. S. Laxman along with P. Kiran, Head of Gemini TV of Sun Network, and some players received it.

The ‘best senior male sportsperson’ for the year was given to Hyderabad Ranji fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.

Former All England champion Pullela Gopichand was given ‘the best coach of the year’ award.

Tennis star Sania Mirza was named ‘the best senior female sportsperson’.

Dronavalli Harika (chess), S. Appoorwa (carrom), Jwala Gutta (badminton) and Mithali Raj (cricket) were named ‘best women achievers’.

Delivering the keynote address, Laxman said the sports media is like an extended family for any athlete. “The sports media is known for selfless service over the years. But for them, a Sania, a Saina, or Sindhu wouldn’t be what they are now,” he said.

B. V. Papa Rao, advisor to Telangana government, who spoke on the emerging sports scenario in the country, stressed on the importance of sport being clean.

“Junior section is the worst when it comes to use of banned substances. We need to have a clean system to achieve results and match world standards,” he said.

N. Mukesh Kumar, Victor Amalraj, BCCI General Manager (Operations) Dr.M.V. Sridhar, Vijay Mohan Raj and Venkatapathi Raju attended the ceremony.

B. Venkatesham (secretary to Telengana government), B. Venkatesham (SATS managing director), A. Venkateshwar Reddy (SATS chairman), P. R. Man Singh (former HCA secretary) and G. Vivekanand (HCA president) were also present.

The other awardees:-

Best junior (male): Siril Verma (badminton). ( female): Gayathri Gopichand (badminton) & Soumya (football).

Most promising sportsperson: Gitanjali (rowing).

Young Achiever: Ruthvika Shivani (badminton).

Best Association: Telangana Badminton Association.

School of the year for excellence in sports: Telangana State Sports School.

Contributor of the year: Mohd Saleem (freelance photographer).

Outstanding contribution to sport: S. P. Misra (tennis), Syed Arif (badminton), Norman Isaac (basketball).