Simranjit Kaur, Gaurav Solanki, Sonia Chahal nominated for Arjuna Award by Boxing Federation of India

New Delhi: Olympic-bound Simranjit Kaur, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gaurav Solanki and world championship silver winner Sonia Chahal have been nominated for the Arjuna Award by the Boxing Federation of India. Simranjit (60kg) is a 2018 world championships bronze winner and is among the four Indian women boxers who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, starting next month. Solanki (57kg) had won his CWG gold in the 2018 edition, while Chahal (57kg) claimed her world silver in the same year. She is also a former national champion. Neither of the two could make the Olympic cut. “The three names have been finalised based on their performances of the past four years,” BFI Secretary General Hemanta Kalita told PTI. The Arjuna Award carries a prize money of Rs 15 lakh. The federation has also decided to nominate women’s assistant coach Sandhya Gurung and national youth head coach Bhaskar Bhatt for the Dronacahrya Award. Last year, world championships bronze winning duo of Manish Kaushik and Lovlina Borgohain were bestowed with the Arjuna Award. Monday was the last date to file nominations for the National Sports Awards, given away every year on 29 August on the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand. Last year, 74 recipients were bestowed with the awards. The prize money was also increased significantly with the Khel Ratna awardees receiving Rs 25 lakh, Dhronacharya (Lifetime) Rs 15 lakh, and Dhyanchand winners Rs 10 lakh. The Sports Ministry had on 20 May invited applications for the National Sports Awards, allowing eligible athletes, coaches, universities and other entities to self-nominate and apply online for a second year running because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Till 2019, applicants needed recommendations to be able to apply but the condition was waived off last year as the COVID-19 lockdown prevented smooth movement of people.