Khel Ratna: Devendra Jhajharia, Sardar Singh recommended

New Delhi: Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia and former hockey skipper Sardar Singh were on Thursday recommended for the country’s highest sporting honour — the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. If finalised, Jhajharia will become the first paralympian to receive the honour.

Javelin thrower Jhajharia, the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals, was the first choice of the selection committee, headed by Justice (Retd) C.K. Thakkar. The committee picked up 31-year-old midfielder Sardar as its second nominee for the top honour and has suggested that both Jhajharia and Sardar be considered for the award.

The 36-year-old Jhajharia won golds in the 2004 Athens Games and last year’s Rio Paralympics and set new world records on both occasions. 

Former captain Sardar, on the other hand, has been a constant in India’s fast-improving standing in world hockey. There were, however, some debate over his name following a sexual harassment case by an Indian-origin British hockey player that led to Sardar being questioned by the Yorkshire Police last month. But the committee decided to focus on Sardar’s credentials as one of the best midfielders in world hockey.

Khel Ratna recommendations: Devendra Jhajharia (para-athlete), Sardar Singh (hockey). 

Arjuna Awards recommendations: V.J. Surekha (archery), Khushbir Kaur (athletics), Arokin Rajiv (athletics), Prasanthi Singh (basketball), L. Devendro Singh (boxing), Cheteshwar Pujara (cricket), Harmanpreet Kaur (cricket), Oinam Bembem Devi (football), S.S.P. Chawrasia (golf), S.V. Sunil (hockey), Jasvir Singh (kabaddi), P.N.Prakash (shooting), A. Amalraj (table tennis), Saketh Myneni (tennis), Satyawart Kadian (wrestling), Mariyappan Thangavelu (para-athlete) and Varun Bhati (para-athlete).