K L Rahul, Aditi Ashok and Bengaluru FC walked away with top honours at the Sports Writers' Association of Bangalore (SWAB) awards here on Sunday.
At a glittering ceremony attended by many current and former sportspersons, SWAB also presented the lifetime achievement award to Indian spin legend BS Chandrasekhar. The 71-year-old was honoured for a glorious career that spanned 15 years and included 242 Test wickets.
Golf sensation Aditi, who won the female Sportsperson of the Year award and former BFC coach Ashley Westwood, who was named the Coach of the Year, could not attend the function owing to other commitments. Rahul, the Indian opening batsman who enjoyed a breakthrough season, clinched the male Sportsperson of the Year award.
Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath was the chief guest.
“I’m a firm believer that participation is more important than winning. My best wishes not just to the winners but also to all the nominees," Chandrasekhar said.
BFC, who won the I League title and reached the final of the AFC Cup in Doha last month, was adjudged the Team of the Year.
List of winners: Sportsperson of the Year: Senior: Male: KL Rahul. Female: Aditi Ashok; Junior: Male: Niranjan Mukundan; Female: Archana Kamath; Coach of the Year: Ashley Westwood; Team of the Year: Bengaluru FC; Lifetime achievement: BS Chandrasekhar; Best association: United Karnataka Chess Association.
Behind the scenes: Kishore Khurrana (Cue sports) and Gopalakrishnan (Basketball).