The third edition of BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award returns with nominees announced on 8th of February, this year. The award commemorates the achievements and contribution of outstanding Indian women in sports.
Audiences will be able to vote for their favourite Indian sportswoman from the five nominees shortlisted by a jury of sports journalists, experts and sports writers. The online voting will take place globally on BBC Indian languages websites and on BBC Sport.
Koneru Humpy, Indian chess player and the winner of BBC ISWOTY 2020, expressed her delight at the return of the award: “BBC ISWOTY is a wonderful initiative as it not only encourages the younger generation, it boosts the women players’ recognition. As a chess player when I was nominated by the BBC ISWOTY, I received a lot of recognition from India and all over the world.”
Rupa Jha, Head of India, BBC News said, “The year 2022 is special not only because we will be launching the third edition of ISWOTY but we are also celebrating 100 glorious years of the BBC. This award ties in so well with the true spirit of the BBC to celebrate the fearless and the courageous. Once again, we come together to honour those women who triumphed against all odds and made the world more equal and fair.”
The winner will be announced on 7th March, 2022. The BBC will also honour two other Indian sports stars with the ‘BBC Emerging player award’ which recognises new talent, and the ‘BBC Lifetime Achievement award’ which goes to a legendary sports personality who has contributed exceptionally to the field of Indian sports.