Sportswomen who have been recommended for Arjuna Award so far

Arjuna Award is considered as a prestigious honour to be conferred on sportspersons with outstanding achievement in National sports. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports awards it to people who have achieved recognition not just nationally but also at the global level.

As the different sports federations have started recommending names to the ministry for the Arjuna Award, names of a few female sportspersons have also been nominated.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) has nominated Oinem Devi for the honour.

The 36-year-old player is already counted as a legend in the country whenever there are talks of female football stars. She has had an illustrious international career in the South Asian Games. She has served the game with utmost honesty and hence an Arjuna Award to her seems only the right step.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the other hand has also nominated a female player for this ultimate recognition. Harmanpreet Kaur proved her batswoman skills during the Asia Cup when she kept her sensational feat intact. Her participation during the T20I series against the Australians was also praiseworthy. The 28-year-old batswoman from Punjab has also been signed up by Sydney Thunders in the Woman Big Bash League in Australia.

"We have sent Cheteshwar and Harmanpreet's name for the Arjuna award. The names have been forwarded to the Ministry of Sports. Both have been exceptional performers during last season and were the unanimous choice from our end," an unnamed BCCI official told PTI.

The Indian Golf Union has also put forward Aditi Ashok’s name for the Arjuna Award along with SSP Chawrasia.

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"Aditi in her first year as a pro won two titles, including Hero Women's Indian Open on Asian and Ladies European Tour besides another title in Qatar. She was also second on the Order of Merit," said Satish Aparajit, President of the Indian Golf Union, reported New Indian Express. Both Chawrasia and Aditi had represented India at the Rio Olympic Games.

The last time a golfer got an Arjuna Award was in 2014 and it was conferred to Anirban Lahiri.

And finally, Hockey India has also nominated a couple of names among which Deepika Kumari has also got a place as a nominee. Deepika played for the country for a long time, her international career spans over a decade. Her participations are included in the Commonwealth Games, World Cup as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics, a first in the country in a duration of 36 years of women’s hockey.

"We are delighted to recommend the hockey players who have proved their mettle against all odds on the turf and displayed extraordinary performances in India and abroad. With their passion and dedication for the sport, these players have done India proud by earning several accolades internationally. I truly believe they deserve every recognition and appreciation for the efforts they have put in bringing pride to the nation,” said Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India.

Picture credit- Scoopwhoop

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