Leander Paes, Sourav Ganguly to receive Khel Ratna in Kolkata

Saurav Ganguly being felicitated during an ICC felicitation program.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, is going to felicitate tennis ace Leander Paes and former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly with the prestigious ‘Khel Ratna’ awards for lifetime achievement in their respective areas, reports NDTV. This felicitation programme will take place on September 28th.

West Bengal’s Sports Minister Madan Mitra said that many other sports personalities will also be felicitated similarly by Mamata Banerjee.

In addition to ‘Khel Ratna’, 26 sports personalities will receive ‘Khel Samman’ awards for their brilliant performances in their respective sports. 12 coaches will receive ‘Krida Guru’, and 20 other sports personalities who hail from the state of West Bengal will receive ‘Banglar Gourav’ award.

Award money for each Khel Ratna, Khel Samman, Krira Guru and Banglar Gourav is Rs 5 lakh, Rs 50,000, Rs 1 Lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively, Mitra said.

A residential football academy, sponsored by West Bengal Sports Council, would also be announced on the occasion, the minister said.