R P Singh first recipient of Kanshiram Intl Sports Award

Lucknow, Sep 25 (UNI) R P Singh, one of the stars of Indian victory in Twenty20 World Cup at Johannesburg last night, will be the first recepient of coveted 'Kanshiram International Sports Award' instituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Singh will receive Rs ten lakh in cash and a citation from the UP government as mark of recognition for his brilliant performance during 22-day inaugural T20 World Cup, especially in the final, UP Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told UNI here this afternoon.

The left-arm seamer, hailing from Rae Bareli, had bagged three wickets in the final before performing consistently during the tournament.

UP Chief Minister Mayawati had congratulated the ace performer while extending her best wishes to Indian cricket team for the rare achievement.

Earlier, last night the Congress President Sonia Gandhi had given telephonic congratulatory message to the family members of R P Singh in Rae Bareli which happens to be her parlaimentary constituency.

R P Singh and Piyush Chawla were the two players who represented UP in Team India.

UNI