BANGALORE: Karnataka’s 90-year-old athletics coach N Lingappa finally has his ambition fulfilled after receiving the Dronacharya Award from President Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi on Friday on hockey legend Dhyan Chand’s birthday.
“It has been a very long time in coming and I am very happy,” said the veteran coach.
“For 18 years, I have spent fighting what I thought was injustice to me. Many less deserving candidates have received awards, but I was ignored. I sent many representations through the state athletics association, the state Olympic Association for the Dronacharya Award. But now I have finally got recognition with this award. At this age, I am delighted with this and want to thank all those who have supported me over the years,” said Lingappa.
Lingappa was himself an athlete and javelin was his favourite event. He has shaped the careers of some illustrious athletes like D Y Biradar, A P Ramaswamy, P C Ponnappa, Reeth Abraham, Ashwini Nachappa and Vandana Rao.
Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, who received the Arjuna Award, had won the silver medal in the high jump event in the 2012 London Paralympics. “I expected the Khel Ratna Award and was disappointed not to get it. But I don’t perform and bring laurels for my country to get awards. I am very happy that I have been given the Arjuna Award. I would like to thank everyone who has stood by me and encouraged....” he said.
Coached by former India junior athlete Satyanarayana, Girisha was born with a disability in his left leg. Girisha’s first taste of success was when he won a prize at the state-level sports meet in Dharwad. He won a bronze at the Junior World Championships for the disabled in Ireland in 2006.