Mohammed Shami, India's pace spearhead, was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award, a recognition bestowed annually for exceptional sports achievements, on January 9 (Tuesday). Shami notably contributed to India's runner-up finishes in both the World Test Championship 2021-23 and the ODI World Cup 2023. As the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup held in India, he secured 24 wickets across seven matches.
Sharing a video from the award ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Shami expressed his gratitude on social media, acknowledging the support and encouragement that propelled him to this milestone. He thanked his coach, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), teammates, family, staff, and fans for their unwavering backing throughout his journey. Vowing to continue giving his best to make his nation proud, Shami extended congratulations to fellow Arjuna Award recipients.
"Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs... thanks to My Coach, BCCI,team mates,my family, staff and big thanks to my fans..Thanks to recognise my hard work..I will always try to give my best to make my country proud…Again thanks to everyone..
Congratulations to others arjun award winners," wrote Shami on X (formerly Twitter).
Shami, Chirag-Satwik, Sheetal Devi Among Those Honoured By President
In addition to Mohammed Shami, archers Ojas Pravin Deotale, Sheetal Devi, and Aditi Gopichand Swami, along with wrestler Antim Panghal, were among those honoured with the Arjuna Award by President Droupadi Murmu. The Arjuna Award, India's second-highest athletic accolade, recognizes exceptional performance, leadership, sportsmanship and disciplined conduct over the past four years.
India's star badminton men's doubles duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy received the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour, for their remarkable achievements throughout 2023. The duo, affectionately known as 'Sat-Chi' or ‘Chirag-Satwik’, achieved an impressive feat by clinching three Badminton World Federation (BWF) titles this year: the Swiss Open, the Indonesia Open, and the Korea Open. Their consistent triumphs culminated in India's first-ever badminton gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and an additional gold at the Asian Championships held in April.
The customary ceremony, typically scheduled for August 29 in honour of the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, underwent a postponement due to the Asian Games held in China. The event was rescheduled as the Asian Games occurred between September 23 and October 8, 2023, prompting the delay in the Arjuna Award ceremony.