Recognition: Shami had bagged 24 wickets to emerge as the high wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup 2023.
| Photo Credit: Ok.R. Deepak
India cricketer Mohammed Shami and chess Grandmaster R. Vaishali received the ‘Sportsman of the year (Team Sports)’ and ‘Sportswoman of the year (Individual)’ awards respectively at the Sportstar ACES Awards 2024 held at the Taj Mahal Palace right here on Thursday.
Shami bagged 24 wickets to emerge as the high wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup 2023. The pacer additionally recorded an unbelievable seven for 57 in opposition to New Zealand in the semifinal.
Vaishali was a member of the Indian girls’s chess workforce which received the silver medal at the Asian Games. At the Qatar Masters 2023, she earned her ultimate Grandmaster norm.
“I am from a place which has no facilities. My journey has hinged on luck, effort, and support from my family and friends. I am grateful for everything — even a person who has contributed one per cent to my success,” Shami mentioned.
“It is amazing to be among so many achievers in this hall. It is truly inspiring to be here,” Vaishali mentioned.
Former Indian cricket workforce captain Sunil Gavaskar, the ACES Awards 2024 jury chairman, paid tribute to all the winners.
“With the kind of performances that we keep seeing in Indian sports, it gets more and more difficult to pick the award winners every year. Looking at videos and reading about the nominees give the jurors so much joy. It is like you are floating in air. I am sure that these incredible feats will serve as an inspiration for young sportspersons,” Gavaskar mentioned.
The batting maestro had a phrase of recommendation for younger sportspersons. “I am very grateful to Indian cricket. I am here today only because of Indian cricket. So to all sportspersons I say — never forget your institution and your roots,” Gavaskar added.
N. Ram, Director (The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited), Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson (The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited), and N. Murali, Director (The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited) introduced awards to winners.
The Sportstar Aces Awards is introduced by Amul, powered by IDFC First Bank in affiliation with Indian Oil. The affiliate companions are LIC India, State Bank of India, Greyon Cosmetic, India Cements, United India Insurance, NTPC, Ramaiah University.
The realty companion is Casagrand, with on-line grocery companion Big Basket, color companion Nippon Paint and training companion Christ University.
The co-sponsors are Pratiyogita Darpan, SSVM and PSG. Additionally, Signpost is the Digital OOH Partner, NDTV is the Broadcast Partner, Dailyhunt is the Online Streaming Partner and Wordswork is the PR Partner.
