Jaipur's SKJ Women's Cricket Awards 2024: Four Players Honored
In a significant recognition of talent and dedication in women's cricket, four outstanding players have been selected as recipients of this year's prestigious Sunder Kanti Joshi (SKJ) state women cricket awards. The announcement was made during a press conference in Jaipur on Saturday, highlighting the achievements of these athletes across different categories.
Award Winners and Categories
The selection committee, chaired by former Ranji cricketer Yogesh Mathur, revealed the names of the awardees. Dimple Kanwar has been honored in the senior category for her exceptional performance in the recently concluded BCCI domestic season. In the junior group, Tanika Sharma will receive the award, while Rochelle Yadav has been chosen in the sub-junior section. Additionally, former cricketer Asha Srivastava-Dutta, who represented Rajasthan in the 1970s, will be conferred with the lifetime achievement award.
Selection Process and Committee Details
The selection committee included members such as Bharti Verma, Devendra Pal Singh, Gangotri Chauhan, and Poonam Yadav. According to committee chairman Yogesh Mathur, the senior category award was highly competitive, with Dimple Kanwar emerging victorious over other notable players like Sonal Kalal, Sangeeta Kumawat, Chandra Jyotsna Bhati, and Sumitra Jat. The rigorous selection process ensured that only the most deserving candidates were recognized.
Performance Highlights of the Awardees
Dimple Kanwar's selection is based on her outstanding statistics in BCCI national competitions, where she scored 430 runs, claimed six wickets, and took 16 catches. Tanika Sharma impressed the selectors in the junior category by scoring 235 runs and taking 9 wickets. In the sub-junior section, Rochelle Yadav strengthened her claim with 172 runs and 9 wickets. These performances underscore their significant contributions to the sport.
Award Ceremony and Prize Money
Sharad Joshi, secretary of the Radha Niwas Cricket Club, announced that the award ceremony will be held on April 3, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Sundar Kanti Joshi. Club president Vipin Joshi confirmed that the prize money has been increased this year. The senior category winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 21,000, the junior winner Rs 15,000, and the sub-junior winner Rs 11,000, reflecting the growing support for women's cricket in the state.
History of the SKJ Awards
According to club treasurer Ashok Joshi, the SKJ Award was launched in the 2019-20 season. Past recipients in the senior category include Ayushi Garg, Priyanka Sharma, Sonal Kalal, Suman Meena, Jyoti Chaudhary, and Kaushalya Chaudhary. In the junior category, Simran Chaudhary, Anaya Garg, Siddhi Sharma, and Maina Seoul have been honored, while Pearl Banawat, Vrinda Sharma, and Dhriti Mathur have received awards in the sub-junior category. This tradition continues to celebrate and motivate emerging talent in women's cricket.
