By Admin 
Scholarships worth ₹10 lakh were presented to 10 up-and-coming Tamil Nadu sportspersons at the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists’ Association (TNSJA) annual awards 2024-25 at the MAC Stadium on Tuesday.
The event, hosted by Chennai Super Kings and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, witnessed an unexpected twist, thanks to CSK all-rounder and chief guest Shivam Dube’s spontaneous act of generosity. Moved by the occasion and the young talent gathered before him, Dube pledged ₹7 lakh on his part and ensured that each of them received a scholarship of ₹1 lakh. Dube was responding to 1980 Olympic hockey gold medal-winning captain V. Baskaran’s request for increasing the prize pool.
“These are the small achievements which will help you change your mindset,” Dube told the award winners. “I am very grateful that I have seen this initiative. I do not know if other States are doing this. I will tell them that it should be there in their States as well,” added the CSK star, a T20 World Cup winner and Asian Games gold medallist with Team India, while lauding TNSJA’s efforts.
“Making the country proud is the best thing you can do. Getting this (₹30,000 scholarship) is a small encouragement. When I was young, this amount was really big for me. When you struggle, every amount and award counts,” Dube had said minutes before announcing his surprise package.
Support for all sports
K.S. Viswanathan, CSK managing director and CEO, a guest of honour, emphasised that the franchise would continue to support all sports. “I want to confirm that CSK is committed to help and promote not only cricket but also other sports. I will pass on Baskaran’s request to N. Srinivasan,” he said.
Dr. R.N. Baba, Asst. Secretary, TNCA, revealed how the TNSJA awards were close to his heart. “There are two awards in my home – my son Aparajith and daughter-in-law Jayaveena have won it in the past. The TNSJA is doing a wonderful job (in promoting talent),” said Dr. Baba, the other guest of honour.
Former India cricket all-rounder Robin Singh, MRF Pace Foundation head coach M. Senthilnathan, former India hockey captain Mohammed Riaz, Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) joint-secretary Prem Kumar Karra and TNTA CEO Hiten Joshi were also part of the star-studded gathering.
The TNSJA scholarship winners 2024-25 (₹1 lakh each): P.B. Abhinandh (table tennis), K.S. Vhenisa Sree (archery), Muthumeena Vellasami (para athletics), Shameena Riaz (squash), S. Nandhana (cricket), P. Kamali (surfing), R. Abinaya (athletics), R.C. Jithin Arjunan (athletics), A. Takkshanth (chess) and R.K. Jayant (cricket).
Published – April 22, 2025 06:39 pm IST