CHENNAI: V Baskaran, 1980 Moscow Olympic hockey gold-winning captain, was honoured with Lifetime Achievement award at the GVSPL-Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists’ Association function on Wednesday.
“I thank TNSJA for the honour. It’s one of the best awards in the country in recognising excellence. I’ve been here before. This year I’m on a different platform. I congratulate all other award winners,” said Baskaran.
While Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar was named Sportsman of the Year, sailors Varsha Gautham and Aishwarya Nedunchezhiyan were adjudged Sportswomen of the Year.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for a Journalist went posthumously to Rayan Amal Raj, former sports in-charge, Indian Express. S Dakshinamoorthy, who guided Tamil Nadu to the National Games volleyball gold, was Coach of the Year. The state side was Team of the Year for finishing runners-up in Ranji Trophy.
Karthikeyan Murali and GK Monnisha (chess) were Young Achievers. The new Jury Awards went to Vr Aravindh Chithambaram (chess), Abhinav Mukund (cricket), Suket Srenivas (yoga), A Amalraj and A Sharath Kamal (TT) and S Prabagaran (volleyball).
Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and Sports Minister S Sundararaj graced the occasion.
Scholarships (Rs 0,000 each): S Nandhini (athletics), G Chandramouleeshwar (badminton), C Lakshmi (chess), SB Keerthana (cricket), GV Hariharan (football), B Mithlesh (shooting), PM Abishiktha (swimming), N Vidya (TT), S Prasanth, R Angamuthu (volleyball).