Indian Women’s T20 skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has been nominated for the prestigious Padma Shri award (country’s fourth highest civilian award), the Sports Ministry confirmed on Thursday. Besides the Indian cricketer, there are 8 more female athletes on the fray for Padma Awards.
Ace Indian boxer Mary Kom's name has been suggested for the Padma Vibhushan Award while recently crowned World Champion P.V. Sindhu has been suggested for the Padma Bhushan Award.
The other six athletes—ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat, captain of the women's hockey team Rani Rampal, shooter Suma Shirur, ace paddler Manika Batra and mountaineer twin sisters, Tashi and Nungshi Malik— have been suggested for the Padma Shri Award.
According to several reports, the ministry has stated that these names have not yet been approved by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. Once approved, the names will be sent to the Padma Awards Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The names of the select awardees will be announced on the eve of the Republic Day next year.
Mary was honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards in 2013 and 2006, respectively. In 2003, she was awarded with the Arjuna Award as well.
Whereas Sindhu recently became the world champion after she defeated Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the final of the championships held in Basel, Switzerland. Sindhu, who was overlooked for the Padma Bhushan honour in 2017, was awarded with the Padma Shri in 2015.