New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) Indian women's team captain Ritu Rani, senior men's team drag-flicker V R Raghunath and forward Dharamvir Singh were recommended for the Arjuna Award by Hockey India.
Raghunath made his debut in the senior men's squad in 2005 during the bilateral series against Pakistan. He has, since then, been an integral part of the team's defence and is considered to be one of the best drag flickers in the country.
Ritu, on the other hand, has led the women's team from the front, helping it secure the Rio Olympic berth.
"VR Raghunath, Dharamvir Singh and Ritu Rani have been recommended for the Arjuna Award while Sylvanus Dung Dung has been recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award and veteran Coach CR Kumar recommended for the Dronacharya Award," stated Hockey India.
Raghunath was a part of the Indian team that won the bronze in the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, silver in 2008, gold in the 2007 Asia Cup, and silver in 2013, where he scored six goals for India. He was a key member of the squad in the 2014 Asian Games, where India won the gold after nearly three decades and secured an Olympic berth.
Likewise, Dharamvir was also a part of the Asian Games gold medal-winning team. He was also in the team which won the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
"It is a dream not just for us, but also those who played and retired before us. So you can say we have realized a common dream." Ritu Rani on the women's team qualifying for the Olympics for the first time since 1980
Former player Dung Dung (70) was part of India's Olympic Gold Medal-winning team in 1980. He struck the golden goal against Spain, which brought home the gold medal following a disappointing outing in the Montreal Olympics in 1976, where India had missed the podium.
"With their passion and dedication for the sport, the players who have been recommended have done India proud by earning several accolades internationally," Hockey India Secretary General Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said.
Meanwhile, Coach C R Kumar is best known for guiding the Indian junior men's hockey team to glory in the 2011 Junior World Cup in Hobart. He also served as Assistant Coach of the Indian senior men's team at the 1998 Utrecht World Cup and 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup. In recent years he has been closely working with women's foreign Chief Coach Neil Hawgood.
"I truly believe they deserve every recognition and appreciation for the efforts they have put in making the nation shine in various tournaments," Ahmed said.