Carrom, six other sports reinstated for Shiv Chhatrapati Award

Arun Kedar, Devendra Joshi and Sanjay Sardesai

After more than three weeks of constant follow-ups at different levels, sports like carrom, powerlifting, billiards and snooker, golf, bodybuilding, yachting and equestrian became eligible for the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Award.

As per Maharashtra government's December 29 order, these sports were removed from the list of 38 games for the award, leaving the respective state associations distressed.

However, on Tuesday, officials of these associations had a fruitful meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at Mantralaya, where Industries Minister Uday Samant and Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode were present. As a result, these sports were reinstated for the award. The associations also got five more days to submit their nominations for the award - till January 28.

Maharashtra Carrom Association secretary Arun Kedar, Secretary of The Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra, Devendra Joshi and Maharashtra State Powerlifting Association's Secretary Sanjay Sardesai, who attended Tuesday's meeting, hailed Samant for taking the initiative to convince Pawar, who is also the president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association.

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"They [state government] revoked the earlier decision and included the sports for the Shiv Chhatrapati Award. This decision is a big relief and boost for all the players.

"Earlier, we spoke with Samant, who convinced Dada [Ajit Pawar]. Samant has been actively involved in conducting carrom tournaments in Ratnagiri for many years. He stressed why carrom and other sports are vital and need to be in the list of awards," Kedar told mid-day on Tuesday.

Joshi, who received the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 1996 and the Arjuna Award in 2002, echoed Kedar's feelings. "Ajit dada was very positive about our request during the meeting and gave instructions to the concerned officers that sportspersons were playing these sports since many years and it's not right to stop encouraging them," said ex-cue sports champ Joshi.

Sardesai, recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 2010, reckoned Tuesday was the happiest day for the state's powerlifters. "I have had several sleepless nights. But now, it's a very good decision and all credit goes to Industry Minister Samant, because he convinced the Deputy CM to support these sports," said Sardesai, revealing that 52 powerlifters have been recipients of the Shiv Chhatrapati awards.