Bangalore, August 29: Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today distributed Ekalavya Awards to 12 sportspersons of the State who have brought laurels to the State and the country by winning medals in National and International events. Speaking on the occasion, Gowda said it was proposed to establish Karnataka State Sports Academy for Excellence. The Academy will help to train sports persons for 2016 Olympics.
He said the State Government would soon come out with State Sports Policy. A committee has already been set up for drafting the policy. He said Synthetic Athletic Tracks would be installed at Hosadurga, Gulbarga, Shimoga, Mangalore and Mysore during the current financial year.
The state stands first in the country for having more number of Synthetic Athlete Tracks, he added. The Chief Minister also presented life time achievement awards to P S Vishwanath and M S Made Gowda for their achievements and contribution for promotion of sports in the state. The awardees included Athlete H M Jyothi, who won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in Asian Grand Prix 2010, Bronze in Delhi Commonwealth Games and Bronze in 2009 Asian Championship held at China, Amoolya Kamal, Gold Medalist Senior SAFF Championship in 2010. Cricketer Robin Uthappa, Viani Antonio D Cunha (Chess), S Jeeva Kumar (Kabaddi), C R Santhosh (Kho-Kho), Pooja Shree Venkatesh (Lawn Tennis), V Nethravathi (Power lifting), Sharanya Mahesh (Roller Skating), Shubha Chittaranjan (Swimming), T D Ravikumar (Volleyball) and C P R Sudhir Kumar (Weight lifting). The Ekalavya Award carries Rs one lakh cash prize and citation.
——IANS