Kerala PCC Chief Ramesh Chennithala today defended the choice of coach K P Thomas for Dronacharya award saying he is a "real Dronacharya" of sports in the state and condemned move by "some quarters" to create a controversy over the government's decision.
His statement came days after former hurdler and Athletics Federation of India's selection panel head G S Randhawa had protested the Dronacharya award for Thomas.
Talking to PTI, Chennithala said "Thomas is a real Dronacharya of Kerala's sports. He has groomed several ace athlets at school level like Anju Bobby George, K M Beena Mol, Shiny Wilson, Joseph Abraham and Jincy Phillip".
"Any move to create a controversy over the government's decision to confer on Thomas Dronacharya is unfortunate. It will hurt the sentiments of millions of sports-loving people of Kerala," the PCC Chief said after meeting Sports Minister Jitendra Singh today.
Thomas, an iconic physical education teacher, is credited with transforming the athletic culture in Kerala. He was chosen for the prestigious Dhronacharya Award this month.
Himself a contender for the award this year, Randhawa had questioned the decision saying there are several instances where the "deserving ones are left waiting in the wings while the pushy type get away with the honours".
Randhawa, who finished fifth in the 110m hurdles event of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, had said Thomas' name getting the nod for Dronacharya award has "stunned" even the AFI.
