Eight clubs have qualified for the final phase of the Manorama Sports Club Award 2023, instituted by Malayala Manorama in association with Santa Monica Study Abroad. The award intends to honour the contributions of clubs and academies to the state’s sports sector during 2023.
The eight finalists picked by an expert panel comprising eminent persons in the field of sports are:
1. Kottayam West Club, Thazhathangady, Kottayam
2. Mar Basil Sports Academy, Kothamangalam
3. Redlands Volleyball Centre, Varakkara, Thrissur
4. FC Kuttanellur, Thrissur
5. Jawahar FC, Mavoor, Kozhikode
6. Chakkalakkal Sports Academy, Madavoor
7. Darsana Arts & Sports Club, Valavayal, Wayanad
8. Iringal Pappan Memorial Sports Academy, Vadakara
The members of the expert panel were ex-Indian footballer N P Pradeep, former captain of the national volleyball team Tom Joseph, and former international athlete and Arjuna awardee Joseph G Abraham.
Over 100 clubs were in the fray for the Manorama Sports Club 2023 award before the expert committee pruned the list to eight. The panel members have started visiting the shortlisted clubs to interact with coaches, sportspersons, and office-bearers in order to evaluate their achievements in 2023.
The track record of the eight nominees, their contributions to the development of sports in the area of operation, conduct of events at local level, participation in non-sporting activities, and training programmes organised by them during the period will be taken into consideration before selecting the winners.
The first-prize winner will be given away the Manorama Sports Club Award 2023 and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh. The second and third place winners will be awarded trophies and a purse of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. All clubs that have taken part in the contest will be honoured.