India’s Cuban boxing coach B I Fernandez and wrestling coach Yashvir Singh along with six others have been recommended for the Dronacharya award, says a report in Deccan Herald.
Former hockey player Aslam Sher Khan headed the 15-member committee recommended eight names for the award out of the 53 applicants. The sports ministry is yet to finalise the names.
“We have made a special recommendation for Fernandez. He has been associated with
Indian boxing for a long time and has played an important part in India’s success on the international circuit. Now, it is up to the government to finalise his name,” a committee member was quoted saying in the report.
The other names which are recommended for the prestigious awards are Virender Poonia (athletics), Sunil Dabas (kabaddi), Satyapal Singh (para sports), Harendra Singh (hockey), Bhawani Mukherjee (table tennis) and J S Bhatia (athletics).
“I did not expect it as I thought that the award was given only to Indians. This is the best gift for me. I first came to India 22 years ago. It has been a long journey but it has been rewarding,” Fernandez was quoted saying in a report in The Indian Express.
He added, ““I used to read a lot about India and when in 1990 I got the opportunity to train Indian boxers I jumped at it. Coming to India was not a culture shock. I had some Indian friends and that helped. We used to train in halls that were not air-conditioned and during hectic sessions boxer would complain about the humid conditions. It was a tough phase.”