Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane honoured with Arjuna Award ahead of India-New Zealand Tests

New Delhi: Star cricketers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma were on Friday conferred with the coveted Arjuna Award for this year and the previous year respectively by Sports Minister Vijay Goel in New Delhi. Rahane and Rohit, who have been named in the Indian team for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting on 22 September, were honoured with the Arjuna Awards at a function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.  

Humbled to receive such a prestigious award. I will keep striving to achieve heights to make my country proud pic.twitter.com/0WBSbzzT2N

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) September 16, 2016

Honoured to have received the the prestigious Arjuna Award today by the H'ble Sports Minister Mr. Vijay Goel. pic.twitter.com/3fyFU1w4oN

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) September 16, 2016

More from First Cricket News

Ahead of India-Pakistan clash, Asia Cup organisers reportedly forced to take drastic measure over slow ticket sales Hong Kong suffer second straight loss as Bangladesh begin Asia Cup campaign with seven-wicket win

  Rahane and Rohit could not earlier receive the Arjuna Awards from the President of India, as they were participating in international tournaments. Speaking on the occasion, Goel said that while there’s no doubt that cricket is among the most popular games in India, the current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to promote indigenous and other sports as well. He said the recent success of the country’s athletes at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has made every Indian proud. The Arjuna Awards, instituted in 1961, are given to sportspersons for consistent outstanding performance for four years preceding the year of award and who have also shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. The awardees are given a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and prize money of Rs 5 lakh.