The National Sports Awards Selection Committee on Friday named Hyderabadi girl and world number 2 badminton player Saina Nehwal as the recipient of the prestigious Rajiv Khel Ratna.
The Rajiv Khel Ratna is among the top sporting honours in the country, and carries a scroll of honour and a medal, and Rs. 7.5 lakh in cash.
The selection committee is headed by former athlete PT Usha. Saina was named after the panel took her recent run of form during the past one year, in which she achieved a hat-trick of Super Series Open Championships and catapulted herself to the second spot in world rankings.
The selection committee discussed the nominations for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand awards.
Incidentally, Saina had won the Arjuna Award last year, and has also been named among the 6 brand ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games to begin on October 3.
Olympic bronze medallist pugilist Vijender Singh, wrestler Sushil Kumar and 4-time World champion woman boxer MC Mary Kom had jointly won the Rajiv Khel Ratna last year.
Saina will receive the award on August 29 from the president Pratibha Patil.
Meanwhile, the Hyderabadi lass expressed her immense joy on receiving the news of her being named as recipient of the prestigious award.
She said, "It is a dream come true to win another National within one year."
She added, "National Award will inspire me to achieve more and motivate me to bring more glory for my country."
She said she was earnestly preparing for the World Championship to be held in Paris, and hoped that she captures the title.
National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said that Saina deserved the award because of her hard work and dedication. He also expressed confidence that she would capture the Word Number 1 spot sooner than later.