I Ilavazhaki, Yogesh Pradeshi recommended for Arjuna Award

New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) All India Carrom Federation has recommended I Ilavazhaki and Yogesh Pradeshi for Arjuna Awards, Federation Chairman Jai Parkash Agarwal announced today.

Mr Agarwal told a newsconference here that the two have performed brilliantly in the last few years.

I Ilavazhaki of Tamil Nadu won the World Cup held in New Delhi in November 2006 and won a Gold, a silver and a Bronze medal in the event.

She won three Gold medals in SAARC Championship in 2005 while winning two Gold and a silver medal in SAARC Championship, 2006.

In the Asian Championship 2005, she won three Gold medals.

Yogesh Pardeshi of Pune won the World Cup by winning three Gold medals in 2006 and two Gold medals and one silver medals in SAARC Championship 2006. He won two Gold and one Silver medal in US International Tournament in 2003.

Expressing his displeasure over no carrom player being considered for the top honour, Mr Agarwal said, ''Despite the fact that carrom is not only a recognised game but fulfills all the criteria of the Government under the National Sports Policy, yet the players who have achieved excellence at international level till now have not been considered for Arjuna Awards.'' He expressed the hope that this time the players would get the ''much deserved'' recognition.

UNI