SWAB honour for Dravid, Ashwini, GRV

Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid and ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa bagged the Sports Writers Association of Bangalore’s awards for the best male and female sportspersons respectively at a function at the KSBA hall here on Wednesday.

Dravid, who announced his retirement in March this year, was selected for the award for a fantastic 2011, a year in which he notched up five hundreds and collected more than 1000 runs in a calendar year in Test cricket. Ponnappa had a fine run last year, grabbing a bronze in the doubles in the World Championships in London and reaching the quarterfinals of the China and Korean Opens.

VVS Laxman, who retired from international cricket in August, presented the trophy to Dravid, while MA Ponnappa, father of Ashwini, received the award on behalf of her. “It feels great to receive this award. I think this is going to be my last award as a player, and it will take a long time to get life-time award which Vishy has got today,” said Dravid.

GR Viswanath was honoured with the life-time achievement award. A galaxy of City’s sports writers and eminent sporting personalities including former Indian skipper Anil Kumble, who is now the President of the KSCA, ace cueist Pankaj Advani, and former sprinter Ashwini Nachappa were present.