The Malayala Manorama Sports Awards 2023, which honour Kerala's top athletes and sports teams, concluded recently in Kochi. These Sports Awards provide an answer to the question of whether Kerala sports should lament the passing of its heyday or embark on a new one.
The man who gave rise to the phrase 'Age is just a number', Rohan Bopanna, attended the sports awards as the chief guest. An expert committee, which comprised badminton player George Thomas, the winner of the Arjuna Award, and Balachandran, chose the recipients.
Prominent figures like Minnu Mani (cricket), Mohammad Ajmal (athletics), Sachin Baby (Cricket), Siddhartha Babu (Parachuting), M. Sreesankar (Athletics), and K.P. Rahul (football) were on the final list of prize recipients, which was created by Malayalam Manorama in association with Santa Monica Study Abroad.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Sreesankar has been awarded Manorama Sports Star 2023. Apart from Sreesankar, Ranji Trophy cricketer Sachin Baby and Asian Para Games gold medalist Siddhartha Babu made it to the final shortlist.
Speaking of sports club awards, this time around the winner was the Darshana Arts and Sports Club, which operates in the Wayanad migrant agricultural village of Paplaseri Azhikodan Nagar. The second place went to Koduvalli Madavoor Chakkalakkal HSS Sports Academy in Kozhikode, while the third place went to Varandarappilly Vadakara Redlands Volleyball Center in Thrissur.
The Manorama Sports and Club Awards serve as a timely reminder of the importance of encouragement and support for athletes. The medals our nation has won are the accomplishments that Sreesankar, Sachin, and Siddhartha have already attained in the sporting sphere. Without a doubt, those accomplishments will excite and inspire upcoming generations.