LUCKNOW: Bringing together India’s best athletes to celebrate a remarkable year in sports, the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) recognized the excellence, dedication and spirit of high achievers by honoring them at a grand ceremony in Lucknow on Saturday.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was welcomed by Indian sports legends. Lander PeaceBaiching Bhutia, and PT Usha at an award ceremony that brought together the stars under one roof.
The CM presented the Mentor of the Year award to 1996 Atlanta Olympics tennis bronze medalist Lander Pace even as the action-packed early days of Pace’s early days and dramatic background film rallies delighted the audience.An emotional chord rang out as the women’s cricket team won the World Cup under the captaincy of the women’s cricket team. Harman Preet KaurStepped on stage to receive the best team trophy from the Chief Minister. Yogi also congratulated the blind cricket team.The Chief Minister of UP also felicitated the dignitaries. Mithali Raj and PR Sreejesh, with members of the TOISA jury.This was followed by the Federation of the Year Award, which was presented to the BCCI and received by Rajeev Shukla.For its continued promotion of sports, Uttar Pradesh won the State of the Year award, which was received by Secretary, Sports, Suhas L.Y.Indian professional shooter Samrat Rana was awarded the Sports Person of the Year (Male) while Para-Sports Person of the Year (Male) was awarded to Javelin thrower Intel. Para Sports Person of the Year (Women) was awarded to Sheetal Devi.UP Sports Minister presented awards to Kuldeep Yadav, Suhas LY, Deepti Sharma and Jagbir Singh for special recognition for UP athletes.In the ‘Athletes who have shaped Indian sports in the last decade’ category, Pace and Bhutia honored Manika Batra, Deepa Karmakar, Sumit Intel, PR Sreejesh, Suhas LY, Avni Lekhra, Deepa Malik and Sakshi Malik.Saina Nehwal congratulates Lakshya Sen, the leading men’s badminton player.Event hosts Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia added to the fun of the event by calling members of the World Cup-winning women’s team, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma and Harleen Deol, on stage and engaging them in an impromptu quiz, even asking them to shake it at one point.TOISA Ambassador Taapsee Pannu and Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav felicitated the other awards.The galaxy of sports veterans present during the event included Sandeep Patil, Madan Lal, Jasbir Singh, Virender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt and Meera Bai Chanu.
