Hockey India (HI) on Monday recommended senior player and former captain Sardar Singh for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has nominated prolific run scorer Cheteshwar Pujara for the prestigious Arjuna award, acknowledging his stupendous show during the last Test season for India.
Along with Pujara, Indian woman's cricket team member Harmanpreet Kaur has also been nominated by the Board for the award.
However there has been no nomination from BCCI for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
Sardar made his debut for India in the junior team during India’s tour to Poland in 2003–04.
In 2006, he graduated to the senior side making debut against Pakistan. Known for his high fitness levels not only in India but worldwide, Sardar was included in the 18-men FIH All Star team in 2010 and 2011.
He was the youngest player to captain the Indian team when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He has also received the Arjuna Award in 2012 and Padma Shri in 2015.
Other players SV Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and Deepika have been recommended for the Arjuna Award while RP Singh and Sumrai Tete have been recommended for the Dhyan Chand Award.
Coaches Sandeep Sangwan and Romesh Pathania have been recommended for the Dronacharya Award.
A committee, formed by the Sports Ministry, will decide on the recommendations made by respective sports federations.
Pujara has been the cornerstone of India's batting this season having scored 1316 runs, highest ever aggregate of runs by an Indian batsman in a single Test season.
The 30-year-old has scored 3798 runs in 48 Tests at an average of 51 plus. He has so far hit 11 hundreds in Tests along with 14 half-centuries.
In case of Harmanpreet, it was an even easier choice as she has been the best batswoman for India in limited overs format.
She played a significant role in India's T20 series victory against Australia Down Under and also played a role in Women's Asia Cup triumph.
She also represented Sydney Thunders in the Woman's Big Bash League (WBBL), where she had some great performances.
