Andhra Pradesh

Arjuna awardees felicitated

By Our Staff Reporter

Koneru Humpy (chess) and M. Srinivasa Rao (badminton physically challenged) are all smiles after being felicitated by the Chief Minister in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD, SEPT.26. The beaming faces of Arjuna awardees --Koneru Humpy (chess) and M. Srinivasa Rao (physically challenged - badminton) said it all when the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, felicitated them in his chambers on Sunday and presented them with shawls and a cash award of Rs.1 lakh each.

For Humpy, it was one of her crowning glories in a career spanning six years for supremacy on 64-squares while the Karimnagar native, M. Srinivasa Rao, fought with destiny to write a different script to achieve what many normal human beings can only dream off.

Good for chess: Humpy

Humpy says the award came to her at a time when she had completely forgotten about it after being ignored when she became the youngest Woman's Grandmaster in 2002.

"I merely completed the formality of sending the application last year and focussed more on the game. So, I was neither surprised nor elated," she said. But, at the same time, the former World Junior champion stressed that it was one of the biggest moments in her career.

"This is good for Indian chess itself.

Her next target is to join other three teammates in Calicut for preparations ahead of the Spanish Olympiad next month.

"Well, this is the strongest ever Indian women's team to play in Olympiad and we have very good chances of winning if there is little bit of luck when the draws are taken," the Vijayawada girl explained.

Help physically challenged

On the other hand, Srinivasa Rao feels that the Arjuna Award conferred on him was not just for himself but also for the entire fraternity of the physically challenged.

"This should inspire many more to fight adversity and aim big in life and sports," he said.

Rao, the gold medallist in the 2002 World Cup Badminton Championship for physically challenged, asserted that the Arjuna Award had put great responsibility on him to fight for the cause of the physically handicapped.

"I also take this opportunity to sincerely appeal to all sections of society to help the physically challenged achieve something big," he said reminding the support he received from the APSRTC management.

"Moreover, it was a great experience to meet and share thoughts with some of the best in Indian sports at the Asoka Hall where we were honoured," they said in unison.

No disputes about that for the duo had brought laurels to the nation fighting the odds in the early phases of their careers.

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