Grandmaster Shardul Gagare, athlete Lalita Babar and India batsman Ajinkya Rahane have been named recipients of the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai’s (SJAM) Golden Jubilee Annual Awards 2016. Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan will present the trophies and certificates to all the 17 award recipients during a function here on September 3.
The Ahmedanagar-based Gagare, who became the sixth chess GM from Maharashtra, will receive the Sportsman of the Year Award, While Satara’s Babar, who finished 10th in the 3,000m steeplechase final at the Rio Olympics, will be accorded with the Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Rahane, who has emerged as a reliable batsman across formats and has been recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Test team, walked away with the Cricketer of the Year Award.
Special award
Rohit Sharma will be presented with a special award for his record-breaking innings of 264, the highest ODI score, against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2014.
Shardul Thakur and Shreyas Iyer have been chosen for the Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the Year Award.
Star Sports, IDBI Federal Life Insurance, Indian Oil and Payyade Sports Club are supporting the awards programme.
Sportsman of the Year: Shardul Gagare (Chess); Sportswoman of the Year: Lalita Babar (Athletics); Cricketer of the Year: Ajinkya Rahane; Sportsperson of the Year — Indian Games: Abhilasha Mhatre (Kabaddi).
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Siddhant Banthia (Tennis); Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Aakanksha Hagawane (Chess).
Woman Cricketer of the Year: Devika Vaidya; Junior Cricketer of the Year: Armaan Jaffer.
Special Award: Rohit Sharma (Cricket).
Best team: Mumbai cricket team; Excellence Award: U Mumba (PKL team); Best College of the Year: Rizvi College of Arts, Science and Commerce; Best School of the Year: Bombay Scottish, Mahim.
Innovative Tournament Award: Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra; Club of the Year: Otters Club. — Special Correspondent
