SJAN felicitates veteran sports journalists

Girish Gandhi hails journalists on International Sports Journalists’ Day

Social worker and Trustee of Vanrai Foundation Girish Gandhi highlighted the role of sports journalists and how they create an impact through their work during the International Sports Journalists’ Day programme organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at its Office situated in Vivekanand Nagar on Saturday. 

Gandhi was speaking during the felicitation function of city’s veteran sports journalists organised by SJAN.

Veteran sports journalists — Sudhir Tupkar, Shyam Sarvate, Roland Lancelot, Prashant Indurkar, Prabhakar Kapshe, Datta Wazalwar and Sanjay Lokhande — were feted at the hands of Gandhi. 

Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) was the guest of honour.

Gandhi hailed sports journalists and said, “Sports organisations, coaches, managers and NGOs play a major role in taking sports forward. However, there are some elements in the society that create hurdles when initiatives are being taken. During such difficult times, sports journalists play a pivotal role in successful conduct of activities by raising issues,” said Gandhi.

“SJAN has done much constructive work and made an impact in sports field,” Gandhi added.

Suryawanshi emphasised that it was comprehensive coverage in print media that helped solve some tricky shortcomings at the city’s only synthetic track. “I had submitted numerous letters to authorities but in vain. It started to move rapidly only when sports journalists started writing about the track. In a matter of a few months, the track was relayed,” said Suryawanshi.

The 88-year-old Sarvate, who had worked for as many as five newspapers and was a renowned Marathi commentator, donated Rs.25,000 to SJAN before he narrated few of the interesting stories of his journey as a journalist. He also talked about the ethics and principles of a journalist while addressing the current generation of sports scribes.

Sanjay Lokhande, one of the founding members of SJAN, shared his memories with all veteran sports journalists present on the occasion.

Earlier, SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur welcomed the chief guest and guest of honour and made introductory remarks. Naresh Shelke compered the programme, while Secretary Paritosh Pramanik proposed a vote of thanks.