Indian Women Hockey Officials expressed shock at their deserving players ignored while arjuna awards have been selected for this yea.

Arjuna awards are given away annually by the Governmnet of India, based on the performance of players or teams in the past three years. Normally 10 best sportspersons receive the honour every year. The winners list for this year was announced yesterday.

The selected sportpersons will be awarded at the ahnd of President of India at a glittering ceremony on 29th of August, celebrated as Sports Day to mark the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand.

In a press release, Amrit Bose, Secretary, IWHF, said: “We are surprised no Women Hockey player has been selected for the Arjuna Award in spite of remarkable performance of Indian Women’s Hockey team. We have recommended the name of Sumrai Tete was recommended as she had excellent credential for this award. She was captain of our team which won the Silver Medal in the 18th Commonwealth Games this year. She has also part of many medal winning teams which includes 2002 Commonwealth Games (Gold), 2003 Afro-Asian Games (Gold Medal), 2004 5th Women’s Asia Cup (Gold), 2005 4-Nations Tournament, Singapore (Gold Medal), 7th Indira Gandhi International Gold Cup, (Silver) 2006 Commonwealth Games (Silver).

The press release also highlights the point that Sumrai Tete has been the member of the Indian Railways Team which annexed the Senior Nationals little for last 12 years.

While mentioning that the IWHF is not against anybody for getting this prestigious award, she said “We are against depriving the deserving women hockeyplayers. It seems one has to have a Godfather sitting in the (Selection)Committee”