Muhammad Rafi, Indian football’s latest poster boy, was “overwhelmed” to receive the third V.P. Sathyan memorial award. The spotlight was unmistakeably on the Churchill Brothers striker at the awards function organised by Kerala Sportsper-sons Association (Kespa) in the city on Sunday.
“It is a great feeling to receive the award instituted in the name of the late Sathyan. The last time I was in Chennai was for a trial conducted by Indian Bank. Sathyan was the coach of the Indian Bank then. I treasure this award,” said Rafi, who had taken time off from the national camp to attend the function.
Indian team’s midfielder N.P. Pradeep and left-back N. Mohanraj were the recipients of the award in the first two years. The selection of Rafi is spot-on because the Kerala forward has been in stellar form for his club and country in recent times.
Kespa also honoured volleyball player K.J. Kapil Dev on the occasion. The setter was recently conferred with the Arjuna award, an honour that had eluded volleyball in the last seven years.
Kespa patron D.I. Dawaram, who has been associated with the organisation since its inception, hailed the contribution of athletes from Kerala. “I’m happy to note that Kespa is doing its bit for the promotion of sports in Tamil Nadu. More than 100 accomplished sportspersons from Kerala have settled in Chennai. I don’t think any other state has such a strong Kerala presence,” he added.
Dawaram said the performance of Kerala athletes at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi was a pointer to the state’s never-ending supply chain. “Renjith Maheswary set a personal record to win a bronze in the triple jump. Prajusha missed the women’s long jump gold by a whisker. The crowning glory was, of course, the blistering run of Sini Jose as a member of India’s gold medal winning team in the 4x100 relay,” he pointed out.
Anu George, deputy commissioner of Chennai Corporation, said presiding over the function was a humbling experience. “I will never forget the experience of sharing the dais with great achievers. P.T. Usha and Shiny Wilson were my childhood idols. I wish this unique organisation all the success,” she added.