NRAI nominates Anjum Mudgil for Khel Ratna, Jaspal for Dronacharya Award

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)  has sent some names of players and coaches for prestigious sports honours award based on their performance in the recent years for the country.

Anjum Moudgil the rifle ace has been nominated for the highest sports honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and Jaspal Rana has been nominated for the Droncharya award in a row.

The NRAI has also sent other names of champion pistol shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Verma who have been nominated for the Arjuna award for their amazing performance for the country.

“Anjum Moudgil has been nominated for Khel Ratna while the NRAI has again sent Jaspal’s name for Dronacharya. They have always believed that he deserves it and are hoping he gets it this time,” a Federation source told PTI.

“Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Verma have been recommended for Arjuna,” he added.

The 26-year-old ace shooter who started her carrier professionally in 2008 is among those two players who have secured their berth in the upcoming Olympics 2021. After winning the silver medal in the ISSF world cup in Korea she secured the berth for the Olympics.

Her other achievements are that she reached in the final of the ISSF World Cup in Munich and Rio de Janerio in 10 m air rifle event. Along with title in the women’s 50m 3P event at the 63rd National Shooting Championship in Bhopal.

As Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award consists of an award, cash prize of 7.5 Lakhs, and a medallion.  The 43-year-old Rana was excluded for the prestigious award after his names were sent and that landed in a controversy. Abhinav Bindra criticized the officials for excluding Rana as he is a seasoned coach and done wonders for the country.

Jaspal Rana has groomed players like Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, and Anish Bhanwala and all of them are already world-class shooters. Rana hopes that the selection is fair this year and the deserving one should get this prestigious award. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 Lakh.