Sania Mirza to be conferred Khel Ratna

A super showing at Wimbledon 2015 combined with consistent performances throughout the year earned tennis star Sania Mirza handsome award, as she was recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, here on Tuesday.

Sania became only the second tennis player to be recommended for the award after Leander Paes, while cricketer Rohit Sharma and ace shooter Jitu Rai were among the 17 picked for this year’s Arjuna Awards.

Tweeted Sania, “Whooaa! waking up in Toronto to the most amazing news from back home.. Thank you everyone .. Thank you so much #soblessed #khelratna.”

The current world no. 1 in doubles, Sania created history by becoming the first Indian to clinch a women’s doubles Grand Slam when she partnered Swiss great Martina Hingis to the Wimbledon title.

The 28-year-old, who has won three mixed doubles Grand Slams in her career, beat competition from squash player Deepika Pallikal, discus thrower Vikas Gowda, track and field star Tintu Luka, shuttler P.V. Sindhu and hockey captain Sardar Singh for the coveted honour.

Besides doing well on the professional circuit, Sania had also won the gold medal and a bronze in the mixed and women’s doubles categories of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Those recommended for the Arjuna award include gymnast Dipa Karmakar, hockey player P.R. Sreejesh, wrestlers Bajrang and Babita, athlete M.R. Poovamma, shuttler K. Srikanth and boxer Mandeep Jangra.

The recommendations will be sent to sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who will take a final decision.

Said Poovamma, “Every athlete wants to get awards and recognition from the government. It is a dream come true for me. It is my best moment in life.

“I know winning the award means I now have more responsibility than before to do better and I would gladly accept it. My short term target for now is to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.”