YS Jagan Congratulates Sai Praneeth On Arjuna Award Honour

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy congratulated Indian badminton player Sai Praneeth on being honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Sports Day Awards on the 114th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand to sportspersons from the country at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

A total of 19 athletes were nominated for the Arjuna Award. The honour was bestowed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in order to recognise the achievement of athletes.

On the honour, Praneeth was quoted saying, "I am feeling really happy for getting the Arjuna Award. Also, I am really happy that it came immediately after I won bronze medal."

The 27-year-old from Hyderabad lost 13-21 8-21 to defending champion and world no. 1 Kento Momota of Japan in a lop-sided semifinal to settle for bronze.

"This was one of my best tournaments that I ever had in my career. There are lots of learning and positives to take. I think the recent performances have been good," Praneeth told reporters.

It was a rare achievement for Praneeth, who became the first Indian male shuttler in 36 years to win a medal in the prestigious tournament. Prakash Padukone was the first to win a men's singles World Championships medal -- a bronze -- in the 1983 edition.

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