Kohli, Mirabai Chanu recommended for Khel Ratna Award

New Delhi, Sep 18: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu were recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

While, shuttler Kidambi Srikanth’s name has also been endorsed for the same but his name's recommendation is awaiting for Sports Ministry’s approval.

Reportedly, winners in the recently concluded Asian games were left out from this prestigious award.

Besides, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra who became the first Indian javelin-thrower to win an Asian Games gold medal with the national record, other prominent names recommended for the awards were

sprinters Hima Das with Jinson Johnson , left-handed batswoman Smriti Mandhana, Hockey players Manpreet Singh and Savita Punia (goalkeeper), Manika Batra (TT) and Rohan Bopanna (Tennis) have also been recommended for the Arjuna Awards.

These recommendations are subject to approval by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Once ratified by him, President Ram Nath Kovind will present the awards on September 25 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.