Arjuna Award is a big motivation, say hockey stars
Indian hockey team’s drag flick expert VR Raghunath and women’s team striker Rani were conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Monday. The ceremony also saw Sylvanus Dung Dung being presented with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement award.
Both Raghunath and Rani who were part of the Indian teams at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games were elated on receiving the Award. “This kind of recognition will only boost the morale of a player and also of the team. I am very happy that this time players from both the men and women's team have been recognised.
"Someone told me this is the first time after 1997 that a hockey player from Karnataka is getting the Arjuna Award so this is doubly special for me. Receiving the Arjuna Award from the honourable President is a matter of pride and this will only motivate me further in my career,” stated Raghunath who has been a pillar of strength in the Indian team’s defence structure for close to a decade now.
Meanwhile,
"I would like to thank Hockey India for their support and the Government of India for recognising my efforts. To receive this award among such
Speaking
The ceremony also saw Sylvanus Dung Dung being presented with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement award. S Dung Dung, an unsung hero of Indian hockey, had struck the golden goal against Spain that brought home the elusive Gold Medal in the 1980 Olympic Games.
Hockey Citizen Group, a Delhi-based NGO, was awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar, for identifying and nurturing young talent in the field of hockey.
Report Courtesy: © Hockey India
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