Saurav Ghosal named Best Sportsperson of India by Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club

Sourav Ghosal

Kolkata, April 23 (IANS)

Incheon Asian Games squash team gold medallist and individual silver winner Saurav Ghosal, former Olympian Gurbux Singh and basketball player Aparna Ghosh were honoured by the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club (CSJC) on Thursday.

While Gurbux Singh and Aparna Ghosh were presented with lifetime achievement awards, Ghosal was adjudged the best sportsperson of the country.

Aparna Ghosh represented India for 16 years in basketball and got the Dhyan Chand Award in 2002.

“It's like a final recognition, it makes me happy,” Gurbux Singh told reporters after the award ceremony.

Cue sport talent Doel Dey, a multiple winner in national championships, was adjudged the best junior sportsperson of the country.

Brazilian star Jose Barreto was also given a special award for his contribution to Indian football in a hall full of veteran and budding sports journalists.

Volleyball player Preeti Singh, footballer Pritam Kotal and cricketer Wriddhiman Saha, were, however, not present.

The winners are:

• Lifetime Achievement: Gurbux Singh (Hockey) and Aparna Ghosh (Basketball).
• Outstanding contribution to Indian football: Jose Barreto
• Best Sportsperson of the Country: Saurav Ghosal (Squash)
• Best Junior Sportsperson of the Country: Doel Dey (Cue sport)

West Bengal state awards (Best Player):

• Archery: Atanu Das
• Athletics (male): Chandan Bauri
• Athletics (female): Swapna Burman
• Basketball: Prasoon Roy
• Badminton: Dishant Debnath
• Chess: Rajdeep Sarkar
• Cricket: Wriddhiman Saha
• Football: Pritam Kotal
• Football (best upcoming talent): Abhishek Das
• Swimming: Supriyo Mondal
• Table Tennis: Mouma Das
• Volleyball: Preeti Singh