New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) The happy faces in blazers stood out from the buzz of constant chatter after being conferred the Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards but resolute, nonetheless, to raise their performance by several notches in the upcoming tournaments.
As many as 19 sportspersons were conferred with Arjuna Awards by President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a breakaway from the usual 15 in a calendar year, for their outstanding performance in 2010 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Rifle shooter Gagan Narang, who won four golds in the Commonwealth Games, finally got the much cherished Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The 28-year-old can already feel the heat for the 2012 Olympics and singles out fitness his top priority as he gears up for the mega event.
"Now that I have finally got the award, I feel happy and satisfied. Pressure is always there in the big events like Olympics. Yes, I do feel the pressure. I have been unlucky to miss the cut twice but I hope to come through this time," said Narang, who is the first Indian and shooter to qualify for the London Olympics.
"Fitness is my top priority at the moment and I am working on it."
India's top striker Sunil Chhetri feels the Arjuna award brought with it a responsibility besides an acknowledgement for the good work in football.
"It is a happy feeling. I feel the award brings with it a sense of responsibility and I will do my best to keep myself going. A lot of good things are happening to the Indian football. I would have never expected ten years ago teams like Argentina and Venezuela playing a friendly match in India," Chhetri said.
India hockey captain Rajpal Singh chose to see things in the perspective and dedicated his Arjuna award to his team.
"Hockey is a team sport and if we win, then it is because of everyone's effort. If I have won it today, it is because of my team. A person should be content with his share. Obviously, you feel good if your performance is singled out," he said.
Swimmer Veerdhawal Khade, 20, said the award will motivate him to perform better.
"This award means a lot. It is a great encouragement and I am determined to give my very best for the Olympics. I will soon be leaving for Australia for training and competition," Khade, who became the first Indian to win a medal in Asian Games in 24 years, said.
"Olympics is the foremost priority as of now. Qualifying should not be a problem but the challenge is to improve my timing to compete with the best. It is very tough but I am going to give my all."
Wangkhem Sandhya Rani, who made the switch from boxing to wushu in 2002, hoped the award will inspire more female athletes to take up the sport.
"I can't describe how I feel. I never expected it. I was a boxer at the national level in 54kg category but my love for martial arts drew me to wushu. I was one of the few girls to take it up but now a few more have come," Sandhya, who won a silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games, said.