Andalkar presented URL Foundation Kreeda Gaurav Puraskar

Mumbai, May 30 (UNI) Asian Games (1962 Jakarta) gold and silver medalist wrestler Ganpatrao Andalkar was presented the URL Foundation Kreeda Gaurav Puraskar at a glittering ceremony at Shivaji Mandir, Dadar.

The veteran wrestler, who was also crowned Hind Kesari in 1960 and was presented the Arjuna Award two years later for his contribution to the sport, towered over the other recipients.

The captain of the Indian Wrestling team to the Tokyo Olympics (1964) dressed in a typical Kolhapuri attire looking supremely fit at the age of 73 is a role model for not just wrestlers but all other sportsmen. He still coaches upcoming wrestlers regularly in Kolhapur.

Other recipients of the award were Shrikant Pitale (Carrom), Ramesh Devadikar (Kabaddi), Shantaram Joshi (Mallakhamb), and Sainath Desai (Kho-kho) and sports journalist Sanjay Parab (Maharashtra Times).

The awards are presented every year on May 29, the birthday of Uday Lad, the president of the foundation.

Minister of Education,Sports and Youth Welfare Prof. Vasant Purke was the chief guest on the occasion. Other dignitaries present were Mangesh Padgaonkar (well-known Marathi poet), former members of state legislature Ramdas Phutane (poet), Sudhakar Gangane and newly elected legislator Girish Gandhi. Prof Purke lauded the work of the foundation. He said''it is good to see that awards are being given to indigineous sports which are played by the majority in Maharashtra.'' UNI