AIFF recommends Subrata Paul for Arjuna
New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu government has recommended star squash player Dipika Pallikal for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour.
Pallikal has been recommended by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the sports arm of the state government.
The 23-year-old is the first Indian to break into the top 10 of world rankings. She was world no. 11 when her application was sent to the sports ministry and is no. 18 as per the latest Women’s Squash Association rankings.
Performances of last four years will be taken into consideration before the recipient of the coveted award is picked. The Chennai-born player was honoured with the Arjuna award in 2012 and Padma Shri in 2014.
Pallikal made history at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she and Joshana Chinappa sealed the gold medal match, winning India’s first ever squash medal in the Games’ history.
Later in the year at Incheon, she bagged a first ever bronze medal for her country in the women’s singles competition of the Asian Games.
In 2012, Pallikal helped the Indian women’s team to a memorable gold at the Asian Championship in Kuwait.
The others in the race for Khel Ratna are Sardar Singh (hockey), PV Sindhu (badminton), Jeev Milkha Singh (golf), Devendra Jhajariya (Paralympics), Girisha Hosanagara (Paralympics) besides discus throwers Vikas Gowda and Seema Punia.
Meanwhile, two retired national team players Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli and two current stars Subrata Paul and Oinam Bembem Devi have been recommended by the All India Football Federation for the prestigious Arjuna Awards.
We have given the names of Climax, Mahesh Gawli, Subrata and Bembem Devi,” said All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Kushal Das.
The 36-year-old Lawrence played as a midfielder and also led the country during a decade-long career that started in 2002.
Lawrence played for Dempo in the national league and is currently representing Mumbai FC in the I-League.
Gawli, a stopper, once held the distinction of being the highest paid Indian footballer in the league. He began his international career in 1999 and played a key role till he called it quits in 2011.
His club career began at FC Kochin in the 1998-99 season and has since played for big clubs like Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mahindra United and Dempo.
Playing international football since 2007, 28-year-old Paul is currently leading the national team, his elevation to top post came after Stephen Constantine’s appointment as coach. He is also India’s number one goalkeeper and has had a stint at Danish club FC Vestsjælland.
The 35-year-old Bembem Devi plays for the Indian women team and has been a regular with her state team, Manipur. (PTI)