BAI recommends Sikki for Arjuna, coach Sudhakar for Dronacharya

■ NEWDELHI:WOMEN’S doubles shuttler N Sikki Reddy has been recommended for Arjuna Award by the Badminton Association of India (BAI).G Sudhakar Reddy, who coached Kidambi Srikanth in his early days, has been recommended for Dronacharya Award.“we have recommended Sikki and coach Sudhakar Reddy for Arjuna and Dronacharya this year. Sikki has regularly won awards for India, while Sudhakar has been coaching many Indian shuttlers, including Srikanth. I hope they receive the awards,” said BAI general secretary Ajay Singhania.the 24-year-old Sikki won the mixed team gold medal and the women’s doubles bronze withashwini Ponnappa,at the Commonwealth Games.

PRAJNESH BEATS EGYPT’S SAFWAT

NEW DELHI: Prajnesh Gunneswaran clinched his first ever singles title on the ATP Challenger circuit beating Egypt’s Mohammed Safwat in the final of the Kunming Open in Anning, a victory which will push him inside top200. Prajnesh, who played a key role in Davis Cup win against China , won 5-7 6-1 6-3.

HOCKEY TEAM PIPS MALAYSIA, QUALIFIES

BANGKOK: India’s junior men’s team held their nerves to beat Malaysia 2-1 in the shootout to win the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers here on Saturday.

The victory will give India a chance to participate in the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Buenos Aires in August. The tournament was played in new Hockey 5’s format.