Xtra Time Web Desk: Three-time Paralympic medal-winning javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia, former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, and ex-world champion boxer L Sarita Devi have been named in the selection committee for this year”s National Sports Awards.
Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Mukundakum Sharma has been picked as the chairperson of the committee, which also includes decorated former shooter Anjali Bhagwat and former women”s cricket team captain Anjum Chopra, the sports ministry stated in a circular.
Jhajharia won a silver medal at the recent Tokyo Paralympic Games, adding to the two gold medals he had won in the 2004 and 2016 editions.
The committee will be meeting in the next few days to decide the winners. This year’s the announcement of the awards were delayed after the government decided to wait for India’s performance at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The country notched up historic results in both the events with an unprecedented seven medals in the Olympics being followed by a record haul of 19, including five gold at the Paralympics.
The selection committee also includes hockey coach Baldev Singh, Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan, and senior journalists Vijay Lokapally and Vikrant Gupta.