GV Raja honour for Jinson Johnson, Neena V

Jinson Johnson, Jakarta Asiad gold medal winner in men’s 1500m and silver medallist in 800m, and Neena V, silver medallist in women’s long jump, were selected for the prestigious GV Raja Awards, the highest sporting honour in the state.This was announced by sports minister EP Jayarajan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
Jinson and Neena will be richer by Rs 3 lakh and will be honoured with a citation and a plaque at a public gathering to be held in Thiruvananthapuram later.
Muralidharan S, veteran badminton coach turned administrator, will receive the Olympian Sureshbabu Lifetime Achievement Award while S Manoj, volleyball coach of St Thomas College, Pala won the best coach award. Muralidharan will receive Rs 2 lakh, citation and a plaque while Manoj will receive Rs 1 lakh, citation and a plaque.
Athlete Abigail Arokyanthan of Centralised Sports Hostel, Kollam and volleyball player Jincy Johnson of Assumption College, Changnaserry have been selected as the best sports hostel sportspersons at school and college levels respectively.
For the fifth time, Assumption College, Changnaserry bagged the best college award while Mathews Jacob of MA College, Kothamangalm will be honoured as the best coach at college level. The college and coach will each receive Rs 50,000, citation and a plaque each.
The best coach in schools and best school were not announced for want of entries.