Let us get the best into our Sports Awards

Apurv Shukla – 

The Fifth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards (INLISA) will be held in May this year.

Instituted in 2012, these Awards acknowledge and honor sportspersons of Indian origin in New Zealand who have brought laurels to their sports clubs, schools, associations, regions and the country.

This years’ event, which promises to be the biggest and brightest so far, contains 12 individual categories and the Sportsman of the Year and Sports Woman of the Year Awards, the last two of which are chosen from among category winners.

Growing involvement

People of Indian origin are among the fastest growing ethnic groups in New Zealand. It is therefore obvious that their involvement in various aspects of New Zealand will also increase. New Zealand offers an ideal work life balance and encourages people to pursue their sports and hobbies and fulfill their potential.

High quality infrastructure, government encouragement and professional help to promote various forms of sports in this process.

Award Entries

Entries are now open to the Fifth Annual INLISA. We invite Schools, Sports Clubs, Sports Associations, Individuals, Coaches, Umpires, Referees, and Teachers and even parents to nominate sportspersons to various categories.

Details of the Awards and entry forms can be downloaded from our Sports Awards website www.inlisa.com Completed forms should be sent by 5 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2016 by email to isa2016@peaceconsulting.co.nz

Please do not fax, post or courier entry forms.

While the forms should carry nominations and comments, these should not be accompanied by certificates, citations and such other material. They will neither be considered not returned to the sender.

The Categories

There are 12 individual categories in addition to the overall winners as Best Sportsman and Best Sportswoman of the Year. We have chosen categories of sports in terms of popularity among the people of Indian origin and will be happy to add new categories if there is substantial demand and if there are recommendations from readers, parents and those involved in sports.

These are ‘People’s Awards’ and as such, we look forward to your participation.

For instance, the ever-popular football, played and watched by millions of people across the world inspired us to include three distinct categories, namely, ‘The Best Under-9 Player of the Year.’

Great Soccer

The most popular sport in the world- Soccer has three categories at INLISA. We award the Best Under 12 Soccer Player, Best Under 18 Soccer of the Year and Best Division Soccer Player of the Year in recognition the growing number of Indians playing the game. As per records, more than 200 countries play Soccer.

A shining example of a player of Indian origin in the game here is Roy Krishna. Winner of the Best Sportsman of the Year of our Sports Awards in 2014, the striker is an integral part of the Wellington Phoenix team.

The best golf player in the world today is Lydia Ko. The Korean-born Kiwi golfer is good evidence of the superb facilities and equal opportunities this country provides. We hope to encourage this sport even more in the Indian community by awarding the Best Golfer of the Year award.

The Black Caps and the White Ferns are having an excellent summer, thus fueling even greater interest in the most popular sport amongst Indians, Cricket. Our Awards have two categories dedicated to this Game, which is increasingly attracting women players.

Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards seek to provide a platform to showcase the best of sporting talent in New Zealand. Through this endeavor we hope an even wider audience.

Photo Caption:

Flashback: Raj Singh presenting the ‘Under 21 Cricket Player of the Year Award’ to Sharhat Singh at the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards 2015 held on April 22, 2015.