K'taka govt accords Ekalavya awards to 16 sportspersons

Bangalore, Aug 30 (UNI) The Karnataka Government today announced the names of 16 sportspersons, who had been accorded with 'Ekalavya' sports awards for their achievements in the field.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Sports Minister Alkod Hanumanthappa said among those honoured for the year 2006, included Chitra Magimairaj, who won the World Ladies Billiards Championship recently and Indian hockey midfielder Ignace Tirkey.

The others who won the awards were: B G Nagaraj (athletics), Rohan Castaleno (badminton), Neelam Malligwad (cycling) Hrishika Basappa (equestrian), Sumeeth Naidu (fencing), Ignace Tirky (hockey), H S Pillappa (kabaddi), R Eranna (kho kho), B J Meghana (netball), Anand Shasidhar (shooting), V Tejaswini (swimming), S S Ashok (Volleyball), Surjit Singh (handicapped sportsperson), Sandeep Maindan (wightlifting), B Sudarshan (ball badminton), he added.

This is the first time the government is coming out with the list of the prestigious awards since the year 2001.

The award carries a cash component of RS 50,000 apart from a bronze statue of Ekalavya, blazer and a citation.

The list of awardees selected for the years 2002 to 2005 were also announced on the occasion.

UNI