Anirban Lahiri nominated for Arjuna Award

New Delhi: Anirban Lahiri, the highest-ranked Indian golfer in the world and winner of four international titles, has been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award. A panel headed by former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, picked Lahiri along with 14 other sportspersons for the nation’s second highest sporting honour, late on Tuesday.


Anirban is now set to become the 18th golfer and the ninth Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) member to be conferred with the Arjuna Award. The Bangalore-based professional, currently ranked 90th in the world, will receive the award from the President of India in a ceremony to be conducted at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi later this month.


PGTI members who have won the Arjuna Award in the past include Ali Sher (1991), Amit Luthra (1996), Harmeet Kahlon (1997), Jeev Milkha Singh (1999), Shiv Kapur (2002), Jyoti Randhawa (2004), Arjun Atwal (2007) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (2013).


Lahiri, introduced to golf by his father, an army officer, at the age of eight, joins the illustrious list of Arjuna Awardees as a result of his exceptional performances at the international level in the last four years. The big-hitting Anirban, who turned professional back in 2007, has bagged 15 titles in his career including four on the Asian Tour since 2011. The 27-year-old secured his maiden overseas win in Indonesia earlier this year and as a result achieved his career-best world ranking of 64.


Lahiri, along with Gaganjeet Bhullar, was also part of the Asian Team at the inaugural EurAsia Cup held in March this year. The Indian duo played a key role in helping Team Asia draw level against a star-studded European team on the final day of the event as the two teams shared the trophy.


Anirban, who has appeared in three Major championships, including two this year, currently leads the 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit courtesy a win and three other top-10s. He enjoyed a career-best third place finish on the Asian Tour in 2013. The Indian star is in Fiji at the moment as he will be playing the Fiji International, an event on the PGA Tour Australasia, this week.


Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We at the PGTI extend our heartiest congratulations to Anirban Lahiri for being conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award. Anirban’s talent and perseverance have helped him emerge as one of the top professionals in Asia. The award is a true recognition of his accomplishments. The PGTI’s efforts in creating maximum playing opportunities in India have contributed towards our golfers’ success on the highly competitive international tours. We wish Anirban the very best for the future.”