123 sportspersons selected for Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award

Chandigarh, Jul 13 (UNI) The Punjab government has made elaborate arrangements to confer the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award to 123 elite sportspersons of Punjab at a function to be held at AKM Resorts, Zirakpur, near here on July 15.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh would preside over the function, Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sports said here today.

Giving details of the awards, Mr R P S Pawar, Principal Secretary Sports said that on the basis of their outstanding performance in the field of sports, eminent sports persons are conferred this coveted award every year. The award carries a cheque of Rs one lakh, a blazer, a tie, a citation together with a trophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Highlighting the origin of Maharaja Ranjit Singh award, Mr Pargat Singh, Director Sports said the state government instituted this award in 1978 to honour and encourage sportspersons of the state.

Capt Singh announced the revival of this highest state sports award during the inaugural session of Indo-Pak Punjab games at Patiala in December 2004. More than 500 sportspersons, are expected to attend the ceremony.

UNI HS PM HT1300