Others

Suma Shirur, the legendary Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting team, has been bestowed with the prestigious Coach of the Year (Female) award at the Indian Sports Honours 2024. This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.As the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, Shirur has played a pivotal role in guiding the Indian shooting team to unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Under her mentorship, India's shooters have claimed three Olympic medals, including a historic gold medal for Avani Lekhara in the Women's 10m event at the Paralympics.Shirur's coaching philosophy emphasizes resilience, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She has created a nurturing environment where athletes can thrive and reach their full potential. Her dedication to developing young talent is evident through her Lakshya Shooting Club, which has mentored over 200 national-level shooters.Beyond her coaching achievements, Shirur is a passionate advocate for gender parity in sports. She believes that every athlete, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to excel. Her efforts have inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in shooting and other sports.The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Indian athletes, coaches, and teams. The esteemed jury panel, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, carefully selected Shirur for this award based on her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting.In accepting the award, Shirur expressed her gratitude and emphasized her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in Indian sports. She said, "This honor is not just mine but belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me. Our journey was defined by dedication, and this award reinforces our shared goal of lifting Indian shooting to new heights."Suma Shirur's achievements and unwavering dedication to Indian shooting and gender equality serve as an inspiration to athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts alike. Her legacy will continue to shape the future of Indian sports for generations to come.

The Indian Sports Honours (ISH) is set to return for its fifth edition, recognizing the exceptional achievements of Indian athletes from October 2023 to September 2024. Conceptualized by Cornerstone Sport, the ISH celebrates excellence across a wide range of sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, Cricket, Squash, and Chess.The selection process for the ISH is rigorous and transparent, with nominations being shortlisted for ten prestigious Jury Honours and four Popular Choice Honours. The Jury Honours include categories such as Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, and Team of the Year, while the Popular Choice Honours allow fans to vote for their favorite athletes through online polls on Twitter.The esteemed jury for the ISH features a distinguished panel of sports icons, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic medalist and a member of the IOC. Other jury members include legendary athlete P.T. Usha, former World Number One shooter Anjali Bhagwat, and Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney+ Star.In addition to the established categories, the ISH will also present a Lifetime Achievement Honour and a new Grassroots Initiative of the Year Honour. The Grassroots Initiative of the Year Honour aims to recognize organizations and individuals making significant contributions to the development of sports at the grassroots level.Bunty Sajdeh, CEO of Cornerstone Sport, expressed his excitement about the upcoming ISH: "We're thrilled to return with the fifth edition of Indian Sports Honours. This platform allows us to celebrate India's finest sporting talent and share their journeys with a larger audience. Their journeys, combined with the support from fans, inspires us to make the event bigger and better every year."The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that brings together India's sports community and entertainment icons to celebrate the nation's athletes. It is a powerful convergence of sportsmanship and entertainment that shines a spotlight on the dedication, talent, and spirit of Indian athletes.