BBC to Announce its ISWOTY 2021 to Honour India's most Talented Sportswoman

By: WE Staff | Monday, 17 January 2022

The BBC has unveiled the third edition of its sports award, which honours and celebrates India's most talented female athletes.

A jury of sports journalists, specialists, and BBC editors will select the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2021 (ISWOTY) from a shortlist.

On February 8, the five nominees that have been shortlisted will be disclosed.

Koneru Humpy, an Indian chess master, won the BBC ISWOTY 2020 last year.

To win the honour, the 33-year-old beat out sprinter Dutee Chand, airgun shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, and India hockey captain Rani Rampal.

Ms. Humpy was overjoyed to receive the prize back, said, "BBC ISWOTY is a wonderful initiative as it not only encourages the younger generation, it boosts 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."

On March 7th, the winner of this year's competition will be revealed. Fans may vote on BBC Sport or any of the BBC's Indian language websites.

Rupa Jha, the director of BBC News in India, stated, "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."

This year, one Indian athlete will be honoured with both a Lifetime Achievement Award and a new Emerging Player Award.

Anju Bobby George, a great long jump athlete and Olympian, received the Lifetime Achievement Award last year for her contributions to Indian athletics and for inspiring generations of athletes.

Manu Bhaker, a teen shooting star, earned the Emerging Player Award at last year's event. In 2018, the 19-year-old became the first Indian woman to win gold in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Shooting World Cup.