Ahmedabad swimmer on cloud nine after award

Sunday, August 29, was a special day for the long-distance swimmer from Ahmedabad, Sufyan Shaikh. The 20-year-old received the coveted Tenzing Norgay national adventure award 2010 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Sufyan is the youngest to swim nine seas around the world at the tender age of 17. He is also the youngest player to receive the award for water adventure. He has conquered Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf (Kuwait), English Channel, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea (Spain) and Indian Ocean.

The day, celebrated as Sports Day across the country, became momentous for Sufyan when President Pratibha Patil was impressed with his heroics at such a young age. After presenting the award, Patil interacted with him.

The first female president of the largest democracy asked the Amdavadi to be a frequent visitor to the Ashoka Hall.

“When I briefed her about my game during the tea session after the awards presentation, she said, ‘You are very young. Keep up the good work. We expect you to scale new heights. I want you to win more competitions and awards in future,” said Sufyan, who was the second youngest recipient at the awards ceremony. Patil also wished Sufyan for his preparations for the Olympics.

Chess grandmaster Parimranjan Negi was the youngest player to win the Arjuna award. During the function, Patil also conferred the Khel Ratna award on Saina Nehwal, Arjuna awards on 15 sportspersons, Dronacharya awards on five coaches and Dhyanchand awards on three. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy (to best university) were also presented.