''I attribute the award to collective efforts of my colleagues'

Pune, Aug 11 (UNI) The first 'Jijamata' sports awardee Manisha Ghate (Kondhalkar), who received the coveted prize for her outstanding work in the field of Kabaddi said the award does not belong to her alone but to the collective efforts of all her colleagues.

The 'Jijamata' award, instituted for the first time is given to women for their outstanding work in the field of sports.

The state government also announced the coveted 'Shiv Chhtarapati' awards for the year 2005-2006 including the 'Jijamata' award.

Starting her illustrious career in kabaddi from a humble beginning, Mrs Ghate rose to lead Maharashtra and during her reign as the captain, the State regained the title after ten years by defeating West Bengal in 1982.

It was also during her leadership Pune University won the women's title for three years in a row to complete a hat-trick.

After being elected as the lady students representative at the university, she came into contact with the present Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi.

Working under the guidance of Mr Kalmadi at the Pune International Marathon Trust (PIMT), she never looked back and went on from strength to strength to promote the cause of women sports.

After bidding adieu to her active kabaddi career, Ms Ghate devoted herself full-fledgedly to the administrative and organizational activities to uplift women sports and put it on the highest pedestal.

Coming under the fold of Poona District Amateur Athletic Association (PDAAA) and the MAAA, she made strides and became a technical official. She is also in the team of the 75 high profile technical officials chosen to work at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

A very devoted worker, she has officiated in the two Asian Grand Prix athletic championships, one International Permit meet, besides attending the Busan Asian Games and the Delhi World Cup half marathon.

She was also the member of Indian Kabaddi team which played exhibition matches in Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Bangkok to promote the game..

Mrs Ghate also took to writing and contributed articles to various newspapers and periodicals and was also selected as a commentator for the All India Radio.

She has been the founder member of the editorial board of the National Sports Trust (NST) and was the publisher of the Athens Olympics book written by Mr Pralhad Sawant.

UNI