Ahmedabad, 13 August (H.S.):
India’s top-ranked and world No. 27 para table tennis player Nurjahan Noorali Jamani has been honoured with the prestigious Sardar Patel Sports Award by the Gujarat Government. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the award to Nurjahan at a ceremony held in Gandhinagar on August 12.
Presented by the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department of the Gujarat Government, the Sardar Patel Sports Award is regarded as one of the state’s highest sporting honours. Named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Iron Man and the architect of India’s political integration, the award recognises athletes who have brought distinction to Gujarat and the country through exceptional performances, perseverance and determination.
12-Year Comeback Marks Remarkable Chapter
Nurjahan contracted polio at the age of five. She initially competed in para table tennis between 2007 and 2010, before stepping away from competitive sport for more than a decade. Her return to competitive table tennis in 2022 marked the beginning of a remarkable new chapter in her sporting career.
Since her comeback, Nurjahan has consistently delivered strong performances. She successfully defended her title at the UTT Para Senior National Championships 2025-26 in Indore. Earlier, she had also won the UTT National Para Table Tennis Championship title. Her impressive performances helped her rise to the position of India’s No. 1 player and world No. 27 in her category.
Support Through ‘Garv Hai’ Initiative
Based in Ahmedabad, Nurjahan works as a junior officer with Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). She has also been receiving sustained high-performance support under Adani Sportsline’s ‘Garv Hai’ initiative.
Speaking after receiving the award, Nurjahan said, “Receiving this honour from the Gujarat Government is extremely special for me and inspires me to set even higher goals. Every achievement strengthens my resolve to represent India with pride. I am grateful to Adani Sportsline and the ‘Garv Hai’ initiative for believing in me and supporting me at every step of my journey.”
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, said, “Nurjahan’s journey reflects the determination and resilience that define champion athletes. We are proud to support her through ‘Garv Hai’ and congratulate her on receiving this well-deserved honour.”
Following the Sardar Patel Sports Award, Nurjahan has now set her sights on earning a place at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24, the Games will provide her with another opportunity to contribute to India’s growing success in para sports. Nurjahan is preparing with the hope of adding another significant chapter to the country’s expanding achievements on the international para-sporting stage.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
