This year’s shortlist of Arjuna Award winners’ consists of many heavyweight names like Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu but still there was a name whose efforts never made it to the nominee list of highest sportsman award of the Country previously. After three years Indian rally driver Gaurav Gill was awarded with the National Sports Award of the country, becoming the first motor sports athlete to win Arjuna Award.
The three time Asia Pacific Rally winner Gill was just 18 years old when he saw ‘Formula-One’ coming and leaving India, to never return since 2013. But Gaurav was determined to continue his career as a rally driver. According to him, sports which attracted people are those which are easy to access and play. Thus naturally people choose either cricket or football or some other sports, but not motor sport to build his or her career. But he thinks that his achievement will now act as a launchpad for motor sport in the country. Thus giving more opportunities to those who want to choose Formula one or Moto GP as a career option.
