TTFI recommend Manika Batra, Harmeet Desai for Arjuna Award

04/21/2018

Commonwealth Games medallists and table tennis stars Manika Batra and Harmeet Desai have been recommended for the Arjuna Award after their performances in Gold Coast. TTFI on Friday (April 21) confirmed the same and revealed that it would be difficult for the government to ignore her name.

Manika Batra is one name that is doing rounds in Indian sport at the moment. In the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, the 22-year-old won medals in all four events. She won the gold in the women’s team event where she led the team brilliantly and helped India create history as they won their first-ever gold in table tennis. She then won the singles gold before winning the silver in women’s doubles and bronze in the mixed doubles competition.

She also beat World No. 4 and triple Olympic medallist, Feng Tianwei twice in the tournament. She was by far the best player in the table tennis competition at the Games in Gold Coast. Hence, on the back of her inspirational performances, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) recommended her name for the prestigious Arjuna Award.

“We sent her nomination today. With such a strong performance in Gold Coast, it will be very difficult for the (government) committee to ignore her,” an official from TTFI was quoted saying by Indian Express.

Manika Batra’s next challenge will be the World Team Championships in Sweden which starts from April 29.

Harmeet Desai who also won a gold in the men’s team event was also recommended for the Arjuna Award.