NEW DELHI: The Indian president R. Venkatraraman Thursday presented the prestigious Arjuna Awards to five sportspersons for their excellence during 1988 and outstanding performance in three preceding years.
In an elegant function in the stately Ashoka Hall of the President’s house, athlete Ashwani Nachappa, former India hockey captain Mohinder Pal Singh, power lifter PK Yeshodhara, swimmer WiIson Cherian and wrestler Rajesh Kumar, were honoured for their achievements.
The vice chancellor of the University of Delhi, Prof Upendra Baxi, received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy for 1988-89 for best all round performance in sports by the university.
The Arjuna Award, instituted in 19 61, carries the bronze statuette of the legendary warrior as juna, a scroll of honor and a crash award of Rs 20,000.
The Azad Trophy, instituted in 195 65 is presented with a replica of the running trophy along with a cash award of Rs 50,000 to be utilized for acquisition of sports equipment. Delhi university got the trophy second year in running. However, the Dronacharya award for coaches, instituted after the great martial art teacher of Arjuna was not awarded for the year.
In his address the president congratulated the awardees and said they were the symbols of achievement and excellence as individuals and the pride of the nation.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 29, 1990
