Richmond’s Sanjeet Sadana will be honoured at Sport BC’s upcoming 54th annual Athlete of the Year Awards as the 2020 KidSport Community Champion.
The award, supported by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, is presented to an individual who has made a significant and meaningful contribution to KidSport. Previous recipients include Evan Dunfee, Perry Solkowski, Jon Montgomery, Michelle Stilwell, and Kelsey Serwa.
Sadana is a member of the Richmond Sports Council and also general manager of the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel.
It was back in 2013 when the KidSport Richmond chapter approved grants for two dozen applicants but would have no additional funds for future young athletes without a major fundraising effort. At the time the grants were $150.
After learning this news at a Richmond Sports Council meeting, Sadana lobbied his colleagues at the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel and successfully established KidSport as their charity of choice.
He purposed the launch of a signature fundraiser gala for KidSport Richmond with the hotel providing the venue, catering, staff and planning rooms at no cost so the chapter could retain all revenues as fund-raising profit.
The support of the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel, led by Sadana has had a significant impact for the chapter which which held its Seventh Annual Creating Community Champions Gala on Friday.
Over $275,000 has been raised in six years and the chapter now provides a maximum annual grant of $600 per child.
Bob Jackson, Chapter Chair, has shared that this simply would not have happened without the efforts of Sadana and the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel.
Sadana is overwhelmed by his selection as the KidSport Community Champion.
“Thank you for the honour. I am humbled by it and receive the KidSport Community Champion Award on behalf of all KidSport Richmond volunteers and the management and staff of the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel.”
“Sanjeet has been a true leader in his community and has helped to grow the impact of KidSport. He is a deserving recipient of the honour. Thank you Sanjeet and thank you Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers for supporting this award,” added Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman.
The 54th annual Athlete of the Year Awards takes place March 12 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East.
