The award comprises a cash purse of Rs 2 lakh, a bronzeplaque of legendary India cricketer late Dilip Sardessai and a certificate.
Naik, a former India defender who plays for Dempo SportsClub, was felicitated on the occasion by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikarfor his excellence at the international level.
Earlier winners of the award include footballers like MaheshGawli, Climax Lawrence (both of Dempo), international swimmer Talasha Prabhuand chess player Bhakti Kulkarni.
Naik was selected from among four shortlisted candidates.The others being P Anand and C Lakra (both taekwondo) and Manguesh Kuttikar(Paralympics archery).
Naik, who plays for Goa's Dempo SC, retired frominternational football in May. He was part of Indian team at LG Cup in Vietnam(3rd place), Asian Games 2002, SAFF 2003 and 2011 and FIFA World Cup qualifiers2004, 2007, 2011, among others events.
The defender started his football career in 1991-92 andjoined Dempo in 1994. He was a member of the Goa team that won the SantoshTrophy in 2005 and had been a regular member of the state team.
"This is a great moment in my football career. I feelhonoured and at the same time humble for getting the prestigious award,"stated Naik.
"I have been playing football for 20 years now and havecome up the hard way. I always played with the goal of representing my countrywhich I did with distinction and was part of the team which won gold at theSAFF championship last year," he said.
