Speaking at a function to honour national players from Solapur with Hutatma awards for the year of 1998-99 on behalf of Solapur Sports Authority, the minister appealed the sports organisations to come forward to help and encourage budding sportspersons in the state. The recipients of the awards were Smita Gullapalli (swimming), Priti Shivagunde (athletics), Deepa Padsalgikar (volleyball), Balu Gaikawad (kho-kho), Sanjay Rembarsu (cricket) and Hussain Waghmare (wrestling). The award carried a memento and a cash prize of Rs 1000 each.

State sports director Ashwini Kumar, deputy director Ramesh Mishra and district sports officer Gulab Gore were also present on the occasion.