Hockey India has recommended the name of former national team captain Sardar Singh for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratha, which is the country’s highest sporting honour. The names of SV Sunil, Dharamvir Singh and Deepika have been recommended for the Arjuna Award, the second highest honour for Indian sportspersons, reported PTI.
Former players RP Singh and Sumrai Tete have been recommended for the Dhyan Chand award, given for lifetime achievement. Sandeep Sangwan and Romesh Pathania have been recommended for the Dhyan Chand Award for coaches. A committee from the Sports Ministry of India will take a call on the recommendations made by various sports federations of the country, the report said.
Sardar Singh has already received the Arjuna Award in 2012 and Padma Shri in 2015. Singh made his India debut against Pakistan in 2006. He soon became the youngest player to captain India, at age 22, at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.