Ace Indian paddler Sreeja Akula supported by Dream Sports Foundation (DSF), the philanthropic arm of India’s leading sports technology company Dream Sports, has been conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Government of India. Adding yet another feather to her cap, Akula, who is part of DSF’s elite athlete development program ‘DreamGold’, will receive the award for her outstanding performance in table tennis from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 30.
Sreeja won a historic Gold medal in the Mixed Doubles Table Tennis event alongside veteran Sharath Kamal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.
Speaking on the occasion, Sreeja described it as a moment she would never forget. “It is an honour for me to be bestowed with the Arjuna Award. Recognition of this kind is very motivating for a young athlete like me, and I want to thank my parents, Somnath Sir, and all my coaches and trainers. This would not have been possible without the support from Dream Sports Foundation, Sports Authority of India and Govt. Of Telangana who supported me at various junctures. I hope that I can continue to bring more laurels to India and my journey can inspire young girls to take up sports as a career.”
The 24-year-old Sreeja, who is currently ranked 76th in the world in singles, is also the reigning National Champion and is eyeing several international events and the Asian Games next year, as she hopes to bring in more laurels while donning the national jersey.
