Goa’s top sports award mired in controversy
By IANSFriday, August 27, 2010
PANAJI - Goa government’s top sports excellence award named after former cricketer Dilip Sardesai is mired in controversy, after a section of the media published the name of the winner earlier this week, days before it was officially announced.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Friday ordered an enquiry into the news leak, following unruly scenes at a press conference when a group of sports journalists demanded that the premature leak to the media should be officially probed.
“These kind of things should not happen. Till it is officially declared, such news of award winners should not be leaked,” Kamat told Chief Secretary Sanjiv Srivastava. Kamat also said a probe would be initiated into the leak.
“A proper system should be started to ensure that things like these do not happen,” Kamat said.
While the Dilip Sardesai award has been awarded to ace swimmer and national champion Talasha Prabhu this year, the formal announcement - scheduled to be made today - was deferred after the sudden demise of Jnanpeeth award winner Ravindra Kelekar earlier Friday at a local hospital.
The late cricketer’s son Rajdeep Sardesai and wife Nalini Sardesai will give away the award at a later date.
The award carries a bronze plaque and a purse of Rs.2 lakh.
