Hockey India has recommended the name of Indian women's team captain Rani Rampal for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award while the names of Vandana Kataria, Monica and Harmanpreet Singh have been sent for the Arjuna Award. The names of former India player RP Singh and Tushar Khandekar have been sent for the Major Dhyanchand Lifetime Achievement Award.
While the names of coaches BJ Kariyappa and Ramesh Pathania have been sent for Dronacharya Award. Meanwhile, under the captaincy of Rani, India won the Women's Asia Cup in 2017 and won a silver medal at the Asian Games in 2018, winning the Tokyo Olympic qualification by scoring a winning goal for India in the FIH Olympic Qualifier 2019. India rose to ninth place in the FIH rankings under Rani's captaincy. She is the first Indian to receive the World Sports Athlete Award.
On the other hand, Vandana, who has played more than 200 international matches for India and Monica, who has participated in more than 150 international matches have been recommended the Arjuna Award. Hockey India President Mohammad Mushtaq Ahmed said, "Sardar Singh was the last hockey player to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Rani has touched new heights in women's hockey and deserves this honor. "A committee of the Sports Ministry will select the winners. The awards will be presented on National Sports Day on 29 August.
