The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has nominated ace shooter Anjum Moudgil for the Khel Ratna — the country’s highest sporting honour — while recommending Jaspal Rana for the Dronacharya Award for the second year in a row.
Moudgil, the 26-year-old rifle ace who started shooting in 2008, is among the first two Indians to have secured quota places for the Tokyo Olympics.
The NRAI on Thursday said it will be sending the Sports Ministry the names of champion pistol shooters Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Manu Bhaker and promising rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan for the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Bhaker and Valarivan’s names were added to the list on Thursday, according to federation sources. NRAI President Raninder Singh said in a statement, “Our shooters had an outstanding last season and it was a particularly difficult selection to make this time around.
“I wish all those recommended all the very best and hope those who could not make it this year, force us to do so next time around with their performances.
“I believe all are equally talented and will certainly reap rich awards if they carry on the way they have.”
Bhaker and Valarivan’s names were added to the list on Thursday.
“Anjum Moudgil has been nominated for Khel Ratna while the NRAI has again send Jaspal’s name for Dronacharya. They have always believed that he deserves it and are hoping he gets it this time,” a federation source said.
“Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Manu Bhaker and Elavenil have been recommended for Arjuna.”
Moudgil, the shooter from Chandigarh earned the quota in the 10m Air Rifle event when she won the Silver medal in the ISSF World Cup in Korea in 2018.
Last year, Moudgil paired up with Divyansh Singh Panwar to claim the 10m Air Rifle mixed team Gold medal in the ISSF World Cup in Munich and Beijing.
She also reached the final in the 10m Air Rifle event in the ISSF World Cup in Munich and Rio de Janeiro.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award carries a medallion, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.
While, the 43-year-old Rana, a multiple Asian Games Gold-medallist marksman, is credited to have groomed the likes of teen sensations Bhaker, Saurabh into world-class shooters. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.