19 August,2011 01:13 PM IST | | AFP
Top rifle shooter Gagan Narang has been selected for India's top sports award after winning four gold medals at last year's Commonwealth Games, the sports ministry said on Friday.
Narang, 28, will receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (sports jewel) award, named after the assassinated former prime minister, from President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony on August 29.
The award, whose past recipients include star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and tennis player Leander Paes, carries a citation and a cash prize of 750,000 rupees ($16,450).
Narang said the honour would inspire him to perform well at the London Olympics next year, for which he was the first Indian shooter to qualify.
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"I am sure the award will help shooting become more popular in the country and inspire us to raise our standards," Narang told reporters.
Cricketer Zaheer Khan, badminton player Jwala Gutta, footballer Sunil Chhetri and field hockey captain Rajpal Singh were among 19 recipients of the annual Arjuna award, the second highest sporting honour.
The award includes a cash prize of 500,000 rupees ($11,000) and a citation.
