Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan are set to be nominated for the Arjuna award: Reports


Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan are set to be nominated for the Arjuna award: Reports

Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan 1

On Sunday, Asian Games medal winners Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan are set to be nominated for the Arjuna award by the national tennis federation. They plan to send former Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal’s name for the Dhyan Chand honor.

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The 27-year-old Ankita, who had won a women’s singles bronze medal at the 2018 edition of the Asian Games. She demonstrated a strong performance in the Fed Cup, where she has played a key role in India’s qualification to the World Group play-offs for the first time.

In Jakarta, Divij Sharan won the gold medal in the men’s doubles event along with compatriot Rohan Bopanna. In October 2019, he became India’s top doubles player. In the 2019 season, the 34 years old also won two ATP titles.

“They are eligible and most deserving this year for the Arjuna honour. We will recommend their nomination,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told.

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Ankita has grabbed this opportunity with her gritty performance during the 2018 Fed Cup where she remained unbeaten in singles. Since then she has become India’s best singles player on the WTA and ITF circuit. In March 2020, she has won six USD 25k level titles and also she achieved the 160th rank in her best career.

At this year’s Fed Cup, Ankita played eight matches in five days, winning two singles and three crucial doubles games with the seasoned Sania Mirza to help India qualify for the playoffs for the first time. Bopanna was the last tennis player to get the Arjuna award in 2018.

“We are contemplating which category is better-suited for Nandan,” said by Chatterjee in a statement. AITA told that Bal’s application will be sent for the Dhyan Chand honor which is meant to honor lifetime contributions.

Bal, 60 years old, appeared in Davis Cup between 1980-83, playing two ties with a 2-1 win-loss record. He remained India’s Davis Cup coach for many years. Only three tennis players have got the Dhyan Chand honor Zeeshan Ali (2014), SP Misra (2015) and Nitin Kirtane (2019). No tennis coach has received the Dronacharya Award yet.

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