1. Mohammed Shami, India’s fast bowler, received the prestigious Arjuna Award on January 9, 2024.
2. The award was conferred by President Droupadi Murmu during the National Sports Honours ceremony in Delhi.
3. Shami’s remarkable performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 earned him the recommendation for this esteemed honor by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
New Delhi, Jan 09: India’s fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award on January 9, 2024, as President Droupadi Murmu presided over the National Sports Honours ceremony in Delhi.
Shami’s outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 earned him the recommendation for this esteemed award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Shami’s remarkable achievement in the World Cup made him the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, securing an impressive 24 wickets in just 7 matches.
Despite not being part of the playing XI for the first four matches, Shami’s impactful entry, following Hardik Pandya’s injury, marked a turning point. His stellar performance included a record-breaking 5-wicket haul against New Zealand.
Expressing his joy ahead of the ceremony, Shami remarked, “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.”
The Arjuna Award ceremony celebrated the achievements of 26 athletes for their stellar performances in 2023. The list prominently featured athletes from the Asian Games 2023, where India achieved unprecedented success in China.
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The Indian contingent surpassed its previous-best medal tally, securing a remarkable 107 medals.
This accomplishment exceeded the prior record set during the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games, which included 16 gold medals. The Hangzhou Games in 2023 not only surpassed the previous quantity but also raised the bar in terms of quality.
On the final day, India added 12 medals to their tally, comprising 6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals, propelling India’s total count to over 100 for the first time in competition history.
The Arjuna Award, the second-highest sporting honor in India after the Khel Ratna Award, underscores Shami’s excellence and contributions to Indian cricket.
President Murmu presented the awards to 26 athletes, including Shami and long jumper M Sreeshankar, during the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, marking their remarkable achievements in the field of sports.
