Pulwama terror attack: Virat Kohli postpones Indian Sports Honours as a mark of respect
Virat Kohli has postponed the RP-SG Indian Sports Honours as a mark of respect to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans who were martyred in Pulwama in a terrorist attack on Thursday. At least 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in the attack.
In Short
- At least 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in a terrorist attack in Pulwama on Thursday
- Cricketers including the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have condemned the "cowardly" attack
- Kohli has also postponed the Indian Sports Honours hosted by the Virat Kohli Foundation as a mark of respect
The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours that was scheduled to take place on Sunday night has been postponed by Virat Kohli as a mark of respect to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans who were martyred in Pulwama in a terrorist attack on Thursday. Virat Kohli annually rewards excellence in sports and nurtures promising athletes through the Virat Kohli Foundation.
"The who's who of entertainment and sports industry were expected to attend the award ceremony. Every partner and all the sportstars and delegates associated with this award have been informed and communicated with stating that hosting an event was unacceptable at this moment when India is mourning the death of its jawans," a press release stated.
"The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours has been postponed. At this heavy moment of loss that we all find ourselves in, we would like to cancel this event that was scheduled to take place tomorrow," Kohli tweeted.
The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours has been postponed. At this heavy moment of loss that we all find ourselves in, we would like to cancel this event that was scheduled to take place tomorrow. Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 15, 2019
The Virat Kohli Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting the underprivileged sections of society, provides scholarships to promising young athletes, as well as individuals and initiatives that have promoted sport at the grassroot level.
At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel lost their lives on Thursday after a car loaded with explosives rammed into a truck carrying the soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Condolence messages have been pouring in for the family of the deceased CRPF soldiers ever since the news of the attack broke out.
Several have condemned the attacks, for which the responsibility has been claimed by Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
Cricketers, including India captain Kohli, have grieved over the death of the CRPF personnel. Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Hardik Pandya have also condemned the "Cowardly and dastardly" attack.
Following the attack, India's premier football league (I-League) champions Minerva Punjab FC requested the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to shift their upcoming league match. Punjab are scheduled to play Real Kashmir FC on February 18 in Srinagar.