Saikhom Mirabai Chanu nominated again for BBC Award 2022
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 06 2023: BBC is back with its fourth edition of the BBC Indian Sportswoman of The Year (ISWOTY) Award 2022 to honour the achievements of Indian female players and has also introduced a new award category, the Indian Para-Sportswoman of the Year.

As per a release, the nominees for the BBC ISWOTY announced on Monday in New Delhi include Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist and award's 2021 winner weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu; Rio Olympics & Birmingham CWG 2022 gold medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, two-time World Championship medallist & Birmingham CWG 2022 gold medallist wrestler Vinesh Phogat; two-time Olympics medallist shuttler PV Sindhu; and IBA Women's World Boxing Championship 2022 gold medallist boxer Nikhat Zareen.

The five nominees have been selected by an independent jury comprising eminent sports journalists and writers.

The public voting for the BBC ISWOTY Award began on Monday and members of the public from across the world can vote for their favourite player on BBC News, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu until February 20 .

BBC News head of India Rupa Jha elaborated on BBC's initiative of recognising women athletes' achievements in more categories.

"We are delighted to announce that this year we are introducing BBC Indian Para-Sportswoman of The Year award to recognise and celebrate women para-athletes and their terrific journey," she said.

2018 Asian Para Games gold medallist Ekta Bhyan appreciated the BBC for rewarding para-athletes, and sending a powerful message that people with disabilities have talents and abilities which should be celebrated and recognised.

At the press conference, Vi-jender Singh Beniwal, first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal in 2008, expressed delight that the achievements of Indian female players are being praised and their stories are now reaching people through the BBC's initiative.

He further said, "Our sportswomen have proven their calibre on the grounds time and again.

They are the real fighters, it's not easy to quantify, how much respect they truly deserve".

The winner of BBC ISWOTY will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 5 .

The BBC Emerging Player of The Year Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Player Award will also be named and honoured along with the new category of Indian Para-Sportswoman of the Year, it further conveyed.

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