The Centre has declared Dronacharya awards for the year 2012. Totally six coaches were named eligible for these awards. Although not more than five coaches get these awards in a calendar year, this year-keeping in view the Olympic games-the Centre picked six coaches. The sports gurus to receive this highest award for coaches are Yashvir Singh (coach of Olympics' bronze medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt), athletics coach Virender Poonia, para-athletics coach Satyapal, hockey coach Harinder Singh, boxing coach Fernandez and kabbaddi coach Sunil Dawas.

Notably, Dronacharya award was so far given to Indian coaches only and for the first time a foreign national will get this prestigious award. Indian boxing coach from Cuba, BI Fernandez is among the six persons to receive this award. It has to be mentioned here that Dronacharya award carries five lakh rupees and a citation. These awards would be handed over to the recipients on National Sports Day (August 29) by President Pranab Mukherjee.

(AW Phani)