Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa celebrated the performances of its victorious sports stars by rewarding them with cash prizes on Monday on the occasion of the National Sports Day. In an event attended by Govind Gaude, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Ajay Gaude Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa and Ajit Roy, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs, 277 sportsmen and women were rewarded for their performances between 2017 and 2021 in 14 events.
Prominent among the winners were Bhakti Kulkarni who was awarded Rs 2, 75,000 for her commendable performance in various international tournaments over the past four years. Anura Prabhudesai, the badminton star, was awarded Rs 5 lakh for excellence at the International and national level between 2019-2020.
Squash player Yash Fatde was awarded Rs 3,74,000 for his performances over the years. He is presently at the University of Rochester in New York. Yash Padloskar, the rifle shooter, was awarded Rs 64,000 for his performances in national championships.
Karishma Shirvolkar was presented Rs 4,22,400 for her international training stint at Palamos CF in Spain which is likely to boost to her professional football career.
Dayne Coelho and his sister Katya Coelho were awarded Rs 80,000 each for their performance in various domestic and international sailing regattas. Raunak Pai was awarded Rs 31,000 for yachting achievements.
Other sportspersons in football, swimming, chess, baseball, yachting, boxing, judo, tennis ball cricket, sepak takraw, squay and taekwondo were also awarded cheques covering Rs 52 lakh in total.
The minister urged sports stars to focus on improving themselves and winning medals for the country in international tournaments.
