Shami, who was India’s finest bowler in the ODI World Cup 2023, received the award in person
NEW DELHI — Veteran Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami became one of the 26 athletes to have been conferred with the Arjuna Award by President Draupadi Murmu on Tuesday.
The second-highest athletic honour in India, the Arjuna Award, is given for demonstrating leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline along with good performance over the course of the preceding four years.
Shami, who was India’s finest bowler in the ODI World Cup 2023, received the award in person, and was honoured by the president. After receiving India’s second-highest sporting award, Shami took to social media to express his gratitude at the honour, thanking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), his teammates, family and others.
“Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs… thanks to My Coach, BCCI, teammates, my family, staff and big thanks to my fans. Thanks to recognise my hard work…I will always try to give my best to make my country proud… Again thanks to everyone.. Congratulations to other arjun award winners,” Shami posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Shami, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, was there to receive the honours. He took 24 wickets in seven World Cup games last year.
“My aim is to keep myself fit as far as possible, as the next two tournaments and series are big. I will focus on fitness,” he told PTI at a sports ministry reception last night. — With inpts from PTI
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Photo: Mohammed Shami shared a heartwarming post after being conferred with the Arjuna Award at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. — Twitter
