<p>Thane: World-class wrestler Sudhir Pundekar from Phaltan tehsil of Satara district, has been conferred with the 'Antyodaya Puraskar 2025' for his work in the field of sports. </p><p>The award has been instituted by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, D H Gokhale and Shyamala Gokhale Trust.</p><p>Palghar MP Dr Hemant Savara presided over the awards ceremony held at Bhayandar in Thane district, over the weekend.</p><p>Pundekar took great efforts in setting up Shiv Samarth Krida Sankul in his native village Mulikwadi in Phaltan.</p>.Padma Awards 2025: Anant Nag, Shobana and other stalwarts honoured. <p>Till date over 500 youngsters have been trained and some among them have achieved success in various competitions.</p><p>He has been training aspiring rural youth in various kinds of sports for many years. </p><p>Speaking on the occasion, Pundekar said: “I am overwhelmed by this honour. This journey is aimed to ensure that budding players don’t face the problems faced by me. I wish to provide training and counselling across Maharashtra. It is necessary to bring the youth on the playground diverting them away from the mobile. I also plan to start a physiotherapy section.” </p><p>Dr Savara said, “It’s great to note that a gem like Pundekar has been chosen for the award. CSR funds can substantially help in his onward journey.” </p><p>Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice-Chairman, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, said, “Government of India is trying to promote native sports. Belt wrestling is also a native sport since it is traditionally played in states like Jharkhand. I am happy to note that a person like Sudhir Pundekar who is at the forefront of this has been given the award.”</p>
<p>Thane: World-class wrestler Sudhir Pundekar from Phaltan tehsil of Satara district, has been conferred with the 'Antyodaya Puraskar 2025' for his work in the field of sports. </p><p>The award has been instituted by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, D H Gokhale and Shyamala Gokhale Trust.</p><p>Palghar MP Dr Hemant Savara presided over the awards ceremony held at Bhayandar in Thane district, over the weekend.</p><p>Pundekar took great efforts in setting up Shiv Samarth Krida Sankul in his native village Mulikwadi in Phaltan.</p>.Padma Awards 2025: Anant Nag, Shobana and other stalwarts honoured. <p>Till date over 500 youngsters have been trained and some among them have achieved success in various competitions.</p><p>He has been training aspiring rural youth in various kinds of sports for many years. </p><p>Speaking on the occasion, Pundekar said: “I am overwhelmed by this honour. This journey is aimed to ensure that budding players don’t face the problems faced by me. I wish to provide training and counselling across Maharashtra. It is necessary to bring the youth on the playground diverting them away from the mobile. I also plan to start a physiotherapy section.” </p><p>Dr Savara said, “It’s great to note that a gem like Pundekar has been chosen for the award. CSR funds can substantially help in his onward journey.” </p><p>Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice-Chairman, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, said, “Government of India is trying to promote native sports. Belt wrestling is also a native sport since it is traditionally played in states like Jharkhand. I am happy to note that a person like Sudhir Pundekar who is at the forefront of this has been given the award.”</p>