Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Friday gave away the Arjuna awards to star cricketers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma for this year and the previous year respectively.
Rahane and Rohit, who have been named in the Indian team for the three-Test series against New Zealand, beginning on September 22, were honoured with the Arjuna Awards at a function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Rahane and Rohit could not earlier receive the Arjuna Awards from the President of India, as they were participating in international tournaments.
The awardees are given a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and prize money of Rs 5 lakh.
Meanwhile, Rohit expressed his happiness on tweeter:
Speaking on the occasion, Goel said that while there's no doubt that cricket is among the most popular games in India, the current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to promote indigenous and other sports as well.
He said the recent success of the country's athletes at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has made every Indian proud.
The Arjuna Awards, instituted in 1961, are given to sportspersons for consistent outstanding performance for four years preceding the year of award and who have also shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
(With inputs from PTI)
