Swab Awards: KL Rahul, Aditi Ashok top show; BFC adjudged best
BFC, who won two I-League titles and reached the final of the AFC Cup in Doha last month, were adjudged the Team of the Year.
Bengaluru: KL Rahul, Aditi Ashok and Bengaluru Football Club walked away with top honours at the ACT-Sports Writers’ Association of Bangalore awards on Sunday. The jury also presented the lifetime achievement award to former India and Karnataka stalwart BS Chandrashekar, who picked up 242 Test wickets in a 15-year international career.
“Sujith (Somasundar) being nominated as a trainee at MRF pace foundation motivated me to become a fast bowler,” joked chief guest and former pace ace Javagal Srinath keeping the audience in high spirits.
On a more serious note, Srinath said: ”Journalism these days has evolved. It’s a tough job, much more challenging than we think it is. With new media outlets coming up and evolution of technology, the challenges today are much more. Just how these awards have evolved is an example.
Chandrashekhar thanked the SWAB committee for the honour. “They have been doing a fine job in recognising upcoming talent and stalwarts in the past,” said the former leg-spin wizard.
“My best wishes not just to the winners but also to all the nominees. I’m a firm believer that participation is more important than winning.” Rahul enjoyed a breakthrough season - he became a regular opener across formats for India. Aditi, the 18-year old golfer, represented India at the Rio Olympics earlier this year apart from winning amateur and professional tournaments over the last 12 months. BFC, who won two I-League titles and reached the final of the AFC Cup in Doha last month, were adjudged the Team of the Year.