Kochi: Jinson Johnson, who won the gold in 1500m and silver in 800m at the Jakarta Asian Games, is the Manorama Sports Star 2018. The award was announced by Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi here on Sunday and has been instituted by Malayala Manorama and Santa Monica Holidays.
M Sreesankar, considered to be a future world champion in long jump, is the second prize winner and swimmer Sajan Prakash lifted the third prize trophy.
The winners were selected by readers by voting from a shortlist prepared by an expert panel based on last year's performances.
While Jinson took home a golden coloured trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, the second prize winner received a silver trophy and Rs 2 lakh and the third prize winner a bronze coloured trophy and Rs 1 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Manorama Sports Club Award for the best club went to Palakkad Olympic Athletic Club. The second and third prize winners are Brothers Sports Club of Moolad in Kozhikode and Malabar Sports Academy of Pulloorampara, Kozhikode. The top club was presented with a gold cup and Rs 3 lakh, runner-up a silver cup and Rs 2 lakh and third prize winning club a bronze cup and Rs 1 lakh.
The Malayala Manorama-Santa Monica Tours and Travels Sports Awards has been conceptualised to acknowledge and salute the accomplishments of outstanding sportspersons and sports clubs/academies from all across the state.
The initiative also intends to promote excellence among budding sportspersons and encourage them to achieve greater success.
The six awards in two categories – the Manorama Sports Star 2018 and the Manorama Sports Club 2018 – were determined through a comprehensive nomination and selection process, conducted jointly by Malayala Manorama daily, Manorama News channel, Manorama Online, and Radio Mango.
