Glitz and glamour at Sahara Indian Sports Awards

It was a heady night for any fan of the movies and sports! In an attempt to promote and celebrate talent, the Sahara group, on November 9, invited some of the finest sporting personalities who've brought glory to the nation in various sports.

From boxer Vijendar Singh to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the event, held at the Taj Land's End hotel in Mumbai, was graced by the presence of some esteemed sportspersons like ace cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, former badminton players like Pullela Gopichand and Prakash Padukone, shooter Abhinav Bindra and others.

Then, there was the usual Bollywood-style celebrations that brought the ceremony to an end. Actress Deepika Padukone, who performed for the evening, was delighted that her father, Prakash Padukone was felicitated with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Saina Nehwal and Yuki Bhamri won the 'Best Young Achiever of the Year' awards in female and male categories respectively, Pullela Gopichand was adjudged the Coach of the Year. For outstanding performances in sports other than cricket, Vijendra Singh (Boxing), Sushil Kumar (Wrestling), Gaganjeet Bhullar (Golf) and Jayanta Talukdar(Archery) were felicitated. Mithali Raj and Gautam Gambhir were named cricketers of the Year (female and male, respectively). Indian cricket team got the Team of the Year award.

Boxer Mary Kom and shooter Abhinav Bindra were declared the sportspersons of the Year. Another wonderful moment of the evening was when Sylvanus Dung Dung, member of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medalist hockey team, was given the 'Unsung Heroes'award.

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