The Hindu : Sport : Dhoni to get Khel Ratna

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Tuesday, Aug 05, 2008
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Dhoni to get Khel Ratna

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: ICC World Twenty20-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Monday chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award given for the most outstanding performance in a year.

Dhoni, who is the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to win the award, also led India to victory in the tri-nation one-day series in Australia last year.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharad Pawar, hailed Dhoni being honoured.

“We are very happy. He has represented the country with distinction, and deserves the honour. His exemplary leadership and demeanour under pressure, especially in the ICC World Twenty20 and the tri-series in Australia, mark him out as the ideal role-model for millions of young Indians, who want to make a mark in life,” Mr. Pawar said.

Ace hockey striker Prabhjot Singh, golfer Arjun Atwal, athlete Chitra K. Soman and shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu were among those recommended for the Arjuna Awards for the year 2007.

List of awardees: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: M.S. Dhoni (cricket).

Arjuna Award: Prabhjot Singh (hockey), Alka Tomar (wrestling), Chitra K. Soman (athletics), Bajrang Lal Thakkar (rowing), Arjun Atwal (golf), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (shooting), K. Tombi Devi (judo), D. Harika (chess), Anup Sridhar (badminton), Varghese Johnson (boxing).

Dronacharya Award: Sanjeeva Singh (archery), Jagminder Singh (wrestling), Jagdish Singh (boxing), G.E.Sreedharan (volleyball).

Dhyan Chand Award: Gyan Pahalwan (wrestling), Hakam Singh (athletics), Mukhbain Singh (hockey).

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