Shuttler V Diju and athlete Tintu Luka have won the prestigious G V Raja Awards, the highest state-level recognition in the field of sports, for the year 2012.
Volleyball star Tom Joseph lost out this year too, but Chief Minister Oommen Chandy - who announced the awards - and Kerala State Sports Council secretary Padmini Thomas said that he did not fit the criteria. Tom, instead, will be conferred a special award by the government, Chandy said.
Diju was selected in the men’s category in recognition of his silver medal-winning performance representing India in the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.
Tintu’s bronze-winning performances at Guangzhou, China, in the 16th Asian Games in 2010 and in July 2011 Asian Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, won her the award.
The awards are instituted in the memory of Lt Col G V Raja, the founder president of the Sports Council, and carries a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, citation and plaque.
The awards were decided as per criteria, Chandy responded to questions as to why Tom Joseph faced rejection this time too.
“He is the pride of Kerala. He should have got the award instituted by the Centre this time.
But he did not, and that is why the State Government has announced a special award,” Chandy said.
Padmini Thomas said that the performances in 2010-11 and 2011-12 were considered for the award. “We can confer it only as per the norms,” she said.
Altogether, 41 applications - 28 from women sportspersons - had come up before the judging panel headed by Padmini Thomas.
