Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, and Avani Lekhara Nominated for BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award

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Five prominent athletes have been nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award. Among them are Manu Bhaker, a double medallist at the Paris Olympics, Avani Lekhara, a two-time Paralympics champion, and Vinesh Phogat, a renowned wrestler.

The list also includes Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian cricket team, and Aditi Ashok, an accomplished golfer. An esteemed panel of sports journalists and writers selected these nominees.

The public will decide the winner through voting available on various BBC language platforms. Voting remains open until January 31, with the winner set to be announced on February 17.

Alongside this award, three additional honours will be presented: Emerging Player of the Year for young female athletes, Lifetime Achievement for veteran sportswomen, and Para Sportswoman of the Year for excellence in para-sports.

BBC Awards Celebrate Female Athletes

Former Indian women's hockey team captain Pritam Siwach and Paralympics medallist Preethi Pal attended the event to announce the nominees. Siwach praised the BBC's initiative and expressed her support for Bhaker's potential win.

"Winning an Olympic medal is a huge achievement and Manu has won two, that's huge. But I'd also like to say Vinesh did really well in wrestling. But it was her bad luck that the medal was taken from her," Siwach stated.

This year marks the fifth edition of the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards. The event has been instrumental in highlighting women's sporting achievements across India. It has successfully brought attention to various inspirational sports stars nationwide.

The awards ceremony will also feature a special segment titled "Champions Champions." This supplement includes a documentary and stories focusing on individuals who have played crucial roles in creating sports champions.

Promoting Inclusivity in Sports

Fiona Crack, Deputy Global Director of BBC News, expressed excitement about announcing this year's nominees. "We're delighted to announce the nominees for this year's awards and look forward to showcasing their talent and dedication to the world," she said.

Rupa Jha, CEO of Collective Newsroom, highlighted the significance of these awards in promoting inclusivity and breaking gender stereotypes in sports. "I am thrilled that the ISWOTY awards continue to celebrate trailblazing female athletes by recognising their outstanding achievements. These accolades play a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity, breaking gender stereotypes, and enhance the visibility of women's sports," Jha remarked.

The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards continue to shine a spotlight on remarkable female athletes. By celebrating their achievements, these awards contribute significantly to advancing women's sports in India.