Birla Awards For Dhanraj, Sikdar

Star striker Dhanraj Pillay and versatile athlete Jyotirmoyee Sikdar have been selected for the KK Birla awards for sports for the year 1998-99. Both these sportspersons will get Rs 75,000 each to be presented later.

The 31-year-old Dhanraj's hockey career is one of courage and determination. The wiry striker has been a thorn in the flesh of many a rival defence and his golden moment undoubtedly was when he led India to gold in the Bangkok Asian Games.

Dhanraj is a natural player whose skill has caught the eye of many a hockey lover. Needless to say, Dhanraj will have his role cut out when India compete in the Sydney Olympics this September.

 

Sikdar's long and distinguished career has been one of excellence and perfection.

She is the first woman athlete in India after PT Usha to secure two gold and one silver in the Asian Games, a feat she achieved in Bangkok in 1998 December.

The middle-distance runner is presently out of action due to an injury and her chances of representing the country in the Sydney Olympics are not bright.

The KK Birla Foundation Awards were instituted in 1991 to accord recognition to outstanding performances by sportspersons. Legends such as Kapil Dev, Viswanathan Anand, Ramesh Krishnan and pistol prodigy Jaspal Rana have in the past been among recipients of the prestigious Birla Awards..

The last awards were presented in November 1998 and won by Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and Aparna Popat.

The selection committee which nominated Dhanraj Pillay and Sikdar for the awards was headed by Sunil Gavaskar. The other members were Dr Narottam Puri, K.Jagannadha Rao, Sports Editor (PTI) , Indu Puri, Jyotsna Poddar, and BN Tandon.