Tendulkar, who recently won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award, was the obvious choice for top honours, his trophy received by India coach Gary Kirsten in the maestro’s absence. In a programme attended by Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir among others, Tendulkar’s childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar was given away the Lifetime Achievement award by Kirsten.
VVS Laxman, India’s eternal crisis man, fittingly won the Game-changer of the year award for having helped India win three Test matches in different parts of the world -- Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. Mumbai teenager Arman Jaffer was selected the Sports Kid of the Year for his sensational 498 in an inter-school tournament, a world record at that level.
The year also witnessed some impressive performances by athletes from other disciplines, both in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the Asian Games in Guangzhou. Ashish Kumar, who won a bronze medal in gymnastics at the Asiad, was the Surprise Package of the Year while 18-year-old boxing gold medallist Vikas Krishan clinched the Young Player of the Year award.
World wrestling champion Sushil Kumar won the Editor’s Choice for Excellence award and tennis ace Somdev Devvarman, who recently breached the 100-rank for the second time to reach his highest rating of 80, claimed the Athlete of the Year honours.
The Indian women’s 4x400 relay team of Manjeet Kaur, Sini Jose, AC Ashwini and Mandeep Kaur, which rallied to clinch the CWG gold in a thrilling race, was recognised for providing the Sporting Moment of the Year.
Award winners: Sports kid of the year: Arman Jaffer (cricket). Domestic performance of the year: Rajasthan Ranji team. Surprise package of the year: Ashish Kumar (gymnastics). Coach of the year: Gary Kirsten (cricket). Sports administrator of the year: Col P K M Raja (boxing). Award for outstanding contribution to sport: Reliance. Sporting moment of the year: 4x400 relay women's team win at the Commonwealth Games.
Young player of the year: Vikas Krishan (boxing). Lifetime achievement award: Ramakant Achrekar (cricket). Game changer of the year: VVS Laxman (cricket). Athlete of the year: Somdev Devvarman (tennis). Team of the year: Indian Test cricket team. Editor's choice award for excellence: Sushil Kumar (wrestling). Sportsman of the year: Sachin Tendulkar (cricket). |
