Preity, Shilpa, Sania Mirza at Sports Illustrated Awards

Mumbai, 8th March, 2010: Sports Illustrated, the bible of sports world-wide celebrated its annual Sports Illustrated Power list in association with Toyota and Gitanjali Lifestyle with a grand ceremony to felicitate the 50 most influential people in Indian sport, on the 8th of March at the stunning Poolside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta, Raj Kundra, Sania Mirza, Sachin Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar, Vida Samadzai, Dino Morea, Nisha Jamwal, Poonam Dhillon, Shaina NC, Simone Singh, Rahul Bose, Mugdha Godse, Aarti Chhabria, Queenie Dhody at Sports Illustrated Awards in Taj Land_s End on 8th March 2010.

As a special gesture on International Women’s Day, the most powerful woman on the list, Preity Zinta, looking ravishing in a purple dress, was presented with a diamond studded cricket ball containing 3600 diamonds by Mr. Mehul Choksi, CMD, Gitanjali Group. Mr Choksi also presented the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar with a gold bat and the stylish Sania Mirza with a gold tennis ball!

The list of the top 50 was collated by Sports Illustrated after in-depth research and keeping in mind the sort of Power, Influence and Popularity these names command in the sports arena. The Sports Illustrated cover story for February 2010 – “The Power List” was an exhaustive review on these super influencers and the reasons behind their selection.

Through these awards, Sports Illustrated India salutes not only the achievements of athletes who have become household names in India and the world, but also the influence of people associated with sport like TV Moguls, TV Network Executives, administrators and coaches.

The top 50 rates Tendulkar as the No. 1 influencer in India, followed by IPL Chairman Lalit Modi at second spot and liquor baron Dr. Vijay Mallya in third. Following closely behind are Sharad Pawar, M S. Dhoni, Shashank Manohar and MS Gill, among others

Commenting on the awards, Sundeep Misra, Editor-in-Chief, Sports Illustrated India, said, “Sport isn’t only about achievement on the field but off it as well. And that’s what became more and more apparent as we took up this mammoth task; that influence in sport is not limited to athletes alone but to the scores of people who help to continuously administer, promote and build it as well.”

Commenting on the association of Toyota India with the Sports Illustrated Power List, Mr. Sailesh Shetty, General Manager, Sales, Toyota said, “Toyota is very proud to be associated with the ‘Sports Illustrated 50 most powerful people in Indian sports’ event. We recognize and appreciate their contribution to the Indian sports, and the role they play to inspire the youth. Their achievements reflect a passion for perfection and continuous improvement, which results in Quality performance, an approach that Toyota identifies with across the world.’

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mehul Choksi, CMD, Gitanjali Group said, “Gitanjali is very proud to be associated with the felicitation of ‘Sports Illustrated 50 most powerful people in Indian sports’. These are some of the individuals who have transformed the face of sporting events in India, and added an element of glamour to the quest for excellence on field. Thanks to them, sports in India today is very much a part of the lifestyle of contemporary Indians, and we are happy to support them in furthering this process.”

The event hosted by Atul Wassan saw Indian sport’s most influential people getting together to be felicitated for their fantastic achievements. Some of the greatest names in Indian sport were present at the power-packed event including Sania Mirza, Sachin Tendulkar, Abhinav Bindra, among others. The most influential names associated with Indian sport were also be present at the event including, WSG’s President Venu Nair, Churchill Alemao and Shrinivas Dempo. Setting the glittering evening soaring were Bollywood queens and IPL team owners Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty with husband, Raj Kundra. The suave set of Mumbai gathered to congratulate and be a part of this high octane evening, including Rahul Bose, Dino Morea, Queenie Singh, Simone Singh and Fahad Samar, Poonam Dhillon, Arti and Kailiash Surendranath, AD and Sabina Singh, Sharmila Khanna, Leena Singh, Nisha Jamwal to name a few