Monty bag Sport Personality of the Year in Asian Achievers Award

London, July 29 (UNI) Monty Panesar's rising stature in the world of cricket and among the Asians has helped him bag the Sport Personality of the Year at the Asian Achievers Award 2007.

The only Sikh cricketer to play for England, Monty has quickly gained in reputation among his teammates and oppositions besides spinning the English team to several victories.

The 'Sikh of Tweak', who claimed Sachin Tendulkar's wicket in his debut match and in the second innings at Lords in the ongoing series, won the Man of the Series award against West Indies in the last series.

Monty's spinning abilities have already propelled him to the number five spot in the ICC rankings.

Lord Karan Billimoria, leading NRI entrepreneur presented the award to Panesar at a glittering ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, last night.

Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats bagged the Editor's Award while Prof Nathuram Puri, NRI industrialist received Business Community Award.

Other recipients were Naynesh Desai (Professional of the Year), Ratilal Devchand Shah (Achievement in Community Service), Renu Patel (Achievement in media/Art and Culture), Firoz Kassam (Lifetime Achievement award), Dalip Kumar (Young Entrepreneur of the year and Shriti Vadera (woman of the year).

Among those present on the occasion were Keith Vaz, leading NRI Labour MP and former minister, S Jagadeesan, Minister, Economics in the Indian High Commission, Lord Bhiku Parikh and Yoga expert Swami Ramdev.

UNI