No cricketers nominated for BBC Indian Sportswoman of the year award

Cricketers, representing the most favoured sport in the

country, did not make it to the final nomination of the BBC Indian Sportswoman

of the Year award, which was announced in New Delhi on Monday. The final list,

however, includes para-badminton star Manasi Joshi, which makes a positive

impact on the discriminating society and sets the spirit right.

Moreover, Joshi became the para-badminton World Champion in

the same year, when PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win a World

Championship gold.

“I am very pleased to know that I am nominated not in

para-athlete category but in the able bodied, normal category of sportswomen,’’

Manasi Joshi said on being nominated for the award.

Dutee Chand, who sprinted her way to glory at the 30th Summer Universiade 2019, was also nominated in the final list, selected by a jury of 40 panellist.

“Many more people will recognise me and my sport through the documentary produced by BBC on me. I am truly happy being nominated for the first ever award BBC Sports award in India,’’ the sprinter said.

Six-time world champion and one of the biggest contender for the award Mary Kom made it to the list as well.

But the recent Padma Vibhushan awardee said, "it doesn’t matter whether I win this award or not, I won’t get hurt. But I can say this award will go to a deserving player".

World Champion PV Sindhu also made it to the list banking on

her brilliant performances in the previous year. She would also be one of the

top contenders to bag the award.

“It means a lot, if we are in nomination, it is an encouragement for every athlete and others also. Because you know it is not easy to be in the nominations,'’ the Hyderabad shuttler said.

Vinesh Phogat, who has improved her technique, and clinched

a World Championships bronze in the process, was the final nomination to make

it to the list.

‘’In recent years, Indian sportswomen have done really

well and if my name is also being talked about, it’s a moment of great

satisfaction for me, it means I’m doing something good," she said.

The nominations were made on a few basic criteria, which

includes -- performances of the athletes in 2019 and their influence on the

society.