News
Dr Phani Sharma award presented |
GUWAHATI, Aug 23 – The Dr Phani Sharma Commemorative Talent Award for Sports was presented to talented table tennis player Kakoli Lahkar in a gorgeous function held at the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshtra today.
The award is instituted by the Dr Phani Sharma Welfare Trust which bears an amount of Rs 1 lakh as one time grant to talented sportsperson of the State, preferably coming from an economically weak background.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi handed over the award to Kakoli who is presently India number 11 in the U-17 category.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister praised late Sharma who had been a guiding force for the sportspersons of the State. He said, for his self determination only Sharma became an established person who sacrificed a lot for the development of sports not only in Assam but also all over the country.
TG Baruah, chairman of the Assam Tribune Group of Newspapers, recalled Sharma’s early life as a table tennis player when he practised along with his teammates at the Tribune Club which was once visited by Jawaharlal Nehru. He also revealed that the Tribune Club was the nerve centre of the State TT in those days and played a vital rule in setting up the State TT body.
Veteran sports organisers Dr Tapan Dutta, Pulin Das, MLA Robin Bordoloi also spoke on the occasion. Later Kakoli, the State No. One said that this award will inspire her in developing her game. She also thanked the organisers.
Chinmoy Sharma, son of Dr Phani Sharma, gave details about the Trust and its motto. He said the amount of the award is built by collecting Rs one from each ticket of the Anuradha Cinema.