Hockey India announces recommendations for national awards

PR Sreejesh and Deepika have been recommended for the Khel Ratna.

Hockey India on Saturday announced the nomination of the Indian men's team Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and former women's team player Deepika for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award while Harmanpreet Singh, Vandana Katariya and Navjot Kaur have been nominated for the Arjuna Award.

For the Dhyan Chand Award, Hockey India has recommended former India stalwarts Dr. RP Singh and M Ch. Sanggai Ibemhal. Coaches BJ Kariappa and CR Kumar have been nominated for the Dronacharya Award.

The period of consideration for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is between January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. In this while, PR Sreejesh has played a key role in India's Silver medal win at the Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018, Bronze medal win at the 2018 Asian Games and the Gold medal win at the FIH Men's Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha 2019.

Sreejesh has also been a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2017. Deepika on the other hand was a vital part of the Indian team, which won the Silver at the 2018 Asian Games and at the Asian Champions Trophy 2018.

Meanwhile, drag-flick sensation Harmanpreet Singh, Vandana Katariya, and Navjot Kaur have been nominated for the Arjuna Award for their sensational performances in teams' victories in the last few years. While former India stars Dr RP Singh and M Ch. Sanggai Ibemhal’s massive contributions in the sport has led to their recommendation for the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement. Coaches BJ Kariappa and CR Kumar have been nominated for the Dronacharya Award.

Hockey India president on national awards

Speaking about recommendations for the prestigious National Awards, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “It was a very proud moment for all of us when Rani won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award last year and it is with great pride that we are recommending two of the finest hockey players the country has seen - PR Sreejesh and Deepika - for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year."

"We are also happy to nominate Harmanpreet Singh, Vandana Katariya and Navjot Kaur for the Arjuna Awards. They have produced some exceptional performances for the Indian team in the last few years. Dr RP Singh and M Ch. Sanggai Ibemhal, nominated for the Dhyan Chand Award and Coaches BJ Kariappa and CR Kumar nominated for the Dronacharya Award, have made some stellar contributions to the game of hockey in India in their respective roles. They have continued to help hockey grow and evolve in our country."

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"It's a great honour for us here to recommend these names for the prestigious National Awards. There are several additional deserving members of the hockey fraternity who we wish we could nominate as well. We are proud of all of their contributions and achievements,” he conlcuded.

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