Athlete Lalita Babar, chessplayer Shardul Gagare to get SJAM award

Mumbai, Aug 27: Maharashtra's sixth Chess GM Shardul Gagare, and steeplechase specialist Lalita Babar, who finished a creditable 10th in the Rio Olympics, have been chosen for the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai's (SJAM) Golden Jubilee Annual Awards 2016.

Ahmedanagar-based Gagare will receive the Sportsman of the year award and the Satara-based Lalita, the Sportswoman of the year award, said a media release from SJAM.

The awards presentation is to be held here on September 3 in which former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan would be chief guest and present the trophies and certificates.

Mumbai and India middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has been chosen for the International Cricketer of the Year award, Rohit Sharma for a special award for making the highest ODI score at Kolkata in 2014 while Shardul Thakur and Shreyas Iyer would share the Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the year award.

Mumbai Cricket Association has been chosen for the team of the year award. Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy for the 41st time, defeating Saurashtra in the final. Star Sports, IDBI Federal Life Insurance, Indian Oil and Payyade Sports Club are supporting the awards programme.

Other award winners: Abhilasha Mahtre (Sportsperson of the year Indian Games, Kabaddi), Siddhant Bhantia (Junior sportsman of the year, Tennis), Akanksha Hagawane (Junior sportswoman of the year, Chess), Devika Vaidya (Woman cricketer of the year), Arrmaan Jaffer (Junior cricketer of the year), Kabaddi team U Mumba (Excellence award), Rizvi College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Best college of the year), Bombay Scottish School, Mahim (Best school of the year), Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra (Innovative tournament award) and Otters Club (Club of the year).

PTI