Indian bowler Mohammed Shami awarded with Arjuna Award on Tuesday at Rashtrapati Bhawan by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. The Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest athletic honour, is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline. Other than Shami, archers Ojas Pravin Deotale, Sheetal Devi, and Aditi Gopichand Swami, and wrestler Antim Panghal are also honoured with the award.
Before receiving the award Mohammed Shami said to ANI, “This award is a dream; life passes and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award. It is like a dream for me to get this award because my whole life I have seen many people receiving this award.” Senior fast bowler Shami reached new heights in the ICC World Cup hosted by India last year. Speedster Shami got 24 wickets at the One Day International (ODI) World Cup 2023.
After receiving the award, Shami reacted, “Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs… thanks to My Coach, BCCI, teammates, family, and staff and big thanks to my fans. Thanks for recognising my hard work. I will always try to give my best to make my country proud…Again thanks to everyone..Congratulations to other Arjun award winners.”