Kabaddi Star Pooja Honors Grandfather with Arjuna Award 2025 Dedication

Kabaddi star Pooja has dedicated her Arjuna Award 2025 to her grandfather and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, expressing pride in her achievements. In a heartfelt message, she encourages young athletes to remain focused and work hard. Pooja's recognition comes after her success at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship. The National Sports Awards celebrate excellence in sports, with Pooja among several athletes honored this year. Discover more about her inspiring journey and the significance of this award.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 15:31 IST

Pooja's Heartfelt Dedication of the Arjuna Award

Kabaddi athlete Pooja expressed immense pride and joy upon receiving the esteemed Arjuna Award 2025. She dedicated this significant recognition to her grandfather and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) for their unwavering support. In an interview following the award ceremony, Pooja described this moment as a source of pride for both herself and her family.

"This is truly a wonderful feeling. It marks a proud moment for my family and me. I want to dedicate this award to my grandfather and the AKFI for their support," Pooja stated. When asked what advice she would offer to aspiring athletes inspired by her success, she urged them to stay focused and committed. "Just keep putting in the effort, as hard work always yields results," she emphasized.

Pooja was honored with the Arjuna Award 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to kabaddi. She has earned medals at both the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship. A post on the official X account of the President of India highlighted, "President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award 2025 to Ms. Pooja for her exceptional achievements in kabaddi, including her medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship."

The National Sports Awards are presented annually to celebrate excellence in sports. The awards are conferred based on recommendations from a Selection Committee led by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, a former Supreme Court Judge. The Arjuna Award recognizes outstanding performance in sports over the past four years, along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline. Other athletes receiving the award include Tejaswin Shankar (athletics), Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi (athletics), Priyanka Goswami (athletics), Treesa Jolly (badminton), Gayatri Gopichand (badminton), Narender (boxing), Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (chess), Divya Jitendra Deshmukh (chess), Dhanush Srikanth (deaf shooting), Lalremsiami (hockey), Rajkumar Pal (hockey), Surjeet (kabaddi), Pooja (kabaddi), Rudransh Khandelwal (para-shooting), Ekta Bhyan (para-shooting), Arvind Singh (rowing), and Akhil Sheoran (shooting).