Hockey India (HI) on Monday recommended former captain Sardar Singh for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour.
Sardar made his debut in the junior team during India’s tour to Poland in 2003-04.
In 2006, he graduated to the senior side, debuting against Pakistan. Known for his high fitness levels worldwide, Sardar was included in the 18-men FIH All Star team in 2010 and 2011.
He became India's youngest captain at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He received the Arjuna Award in 2012 and Padma Shri in 2015.
Meanwhile, S. V. Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and Deepika have been recommended for the Arjuna Award. R. P. Singh and Sumrai Tete have been recommended for the Dhyan Chand Award.
Coaches Sandeep Sangwan and Romesh Pathania have been recommended for the Dronacharya Award.
A committee, formed by the Sports Ministry, will decide on the recommendations made by the respective sports federations.
Former player R. P. Singh represented the country during the 1986 and 1990 World Cup.
Sumrai Tete, former captain and coach of India, was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
S. V. Sunil has now become a vital cog in the senior men’s team. He's considered one of the fastest men on the pitch. He's also served as the team’s vice-captain.
With an international career spanning over a decade, Deepika has participated at the Commonwealth Games, World Cup as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Deepika was also instrumental in India’s maiden win at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy last year.
Likewise, Dharamvir Singh, too, has been an asset to the team and was part of the Asian Games gold medal-winning team as well as the squad that won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2015.
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