From Ashwin to Vijayan: Padma Awards honour sporting legends

For athletes, recognition on the field is fleeting, but the honour of a nation lasts forever. Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, alongside a line-up of celebrated names from hockey, football, and para-sports, has been bestowed with India’s prestigious civilian honours in 2024. Joining the elite league of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, Ashwin’s achievements reflect years of relentless dedication — a theme that resonates with each of this year’s Padma awardees.

The 30-year-old Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, is the only cricketer among the 139 Padma awardees approved by the Indian President. Sharing the spotlight are sporting icons like former Indian football captain I.M. Vijayan, legendary hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, para-archery gold medallist Harvinder Singh, and para-athletics coach Satyapal Singh — each representing the pinnacle of excellence in their fields.

Ashwin’s well-deserved honour

“Thank you so much, sir. Heartfelt gratitude,” Ashwin responded to a social media post from Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the awardees. Ashwin becomes only the second cricketer from Tamil Nadu to receive the Padma Shri — India’s fourth-highest civilian honour — after former India captain Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, who was recognised in 2003.

Sachin Tendulkar remains the sole Indian cricketer to have received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, shocked fans with his sudden decision to retire after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Reflecting on his decision, Ashwin said on Ash Ki Baat: “I needed this break. I left the series midway. I did not talk much about cricket, though I did post a few things on X after the Sydney and Melbourne Tests. I did not talk about retirement because I was in the dressing room, and it was very important for me to respect the sanctum of the dressing room. The fan war is very toxic nowadays.”

He added, “At that time, I thought I lost my creativity. Endings can be happy also. There is no reason to speculate much.”

Sreejesh: Hockey’s living legend

Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour.

Currently the coach of the Indian men’s junior hockey team, Sreejesh becomes only the second hockey player to receive the Padma Bhushan after the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, honoured in 1956.

Sreejesh’s stellar career spanned 18 years, during which he represented India in 336 international matches. His final bow at the Paris Olympics 2024 saw him deliver exceptional performances, helping India secure a bronze medal — adding to the historic bronze won in Tokyo 2020.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Padma Bhushan, and I would like to thank the Government of India for this recognition. Hockey has been my life for almost two decades, and every time I stepped onto the field, it was to give my best for the country. This award is a tribute to all the players, coaches, and support staff who have been part of my journey,” said the four-time Olympian and two-time Asian Games gold medallist.

Vijayan: A football icon’s legacy

Former captain I.M. Vijayan, a key figure in Indian football during the 1990s, led the national team to victory in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships in 1993 and 1997. A prolific striker, Vijayan was the top goalscorer in both tournaments and was named AIFF Player of the Year in 1992, 1997, and 2000.

In 2003, Vijayan was also honoured with the Arjuna Award.

“I dedicate my award to every football fan in the country. What I am today is because of them. I am not sure how good I was as a footballer, but the love I received from the fans was the biggest achievement of my career,” said Vijayan, who represented India in 88 matches, scoring 39 goals.

He added, “This award may encourage some youngsters to pursue football. If so, it would give me a deep sense of fulfilment.”

Harvinder Singh and Satyapal Singh’s golden moments

Para-archer Harvinder Singh expressed his joy at receiving the Padma Shri, calling it a proud moment in his career.

“I want to give the credit for this to my coaches. I will keep going like this. I would like to tell the youth to set a goal for themselves and work on that,” Harvinder said.

Harvinder’s gold medal in the men’s individual recurve open event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 was a historic first for India in para-archery. His dominant 6-0 victory against Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek in the final added to his Paralympic medal collection, which includes a bronze from Tokyo 2020.

Para-athletics coach Satyapal Singh, who mentored high jumper Praveen Kumar to gold at the Paris Paralympics, was also honoured with the Padma Shri.

“It’s because of the faith reposed in me by so many people. I have been associated with Praveen Kumar since 2018, and a lot of credit goes to my ward for this award,” Satyapal said.

A celebration of sporting excellence

From Ashwin’s artistry with the ball to Harvinder Singh’s pinpoint precision in archery, the Padma awards this year underscore India’s diverse sporting prowess. These honours are not just a testament to individual brilliance but also to the collective effort of coaches, teammates, and fans who propel athletes to greatness. As these legends take a bow, they inspire a new generation to dream, strive, and achieve.

— With inputs from agencies