Arjuna Award For The Paralympic Champions
New Delhi: 35 sportspersons who have been recommended for the Arjuna Award by the national sports awards committee have been awarded. Shooter Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal, javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, who all have won a gold each in the Tokyo Paralympics, completed the list of those recommended for the Khel Ratna. India’s Tokyo Paralympics gold winner Pramod Bhagat was on Thursday named among six shuttlers for the Male Para-Badminton Player of the Year by the sport’s world body but none of his compatriots featured in the able-bodied awards’ categories.
Arjun Awardee Yogesh Kathuniya: Paralympic discus throw player thanked SAI as they helped them the most. I’m glad & can’t wait to receive the highest sports honour of India, & so is my family. SAI nominated & awarded me. Tennis Player & Arjun Awardee Ankita Raina stated, “It was rigorous for me, my family, team, & coaches. We’re all very happy as it definitely motivates athletes & inspires others. Sports Authority of India, Gujarat & Sports Ministry helped a lot, especially in such tough COVID situations”. India’s Tokyo Paralympics gold winner Pramod Bhagat was on Thursday named among six shuttlers for the Male Para-Badminton Player of the Year by the sport’s world body but none of his compatriots featured in the able-bodied awards’ categories.
I’m very happy & excited to receive the Arjuna Award. I have to work even harder, get more awards, & make India prouder as this is not the end of my journey: Para Table Tennis player & Arjuna Awardee Bhavina Patel. “It took me a decade to show my skills. Govt of India, Sports Min & Sports Authority of India (SAI) saw my training & performance, so I’m very thankful for my Arjuna Award. SAI has supported me & trusted my potential more than I have”: Para High Jumper & Arjuna Awardee Sharad Kumar. Para-athlete KY Venkatesh who led India at the fifth Dwarf Olympic Games in 2009 won Padma Shri on Tuesday. Venkatesh has a name in the Limca Book of Records for winning most medals in the World Dwarf Games