IND - Geethu Anna Jose receives Arjuna Award, India’s top sporting honour

NEW DELHI - Indian basketball received a glorious honoru on Tuesday with the country's government including Geethu Anna Jose in the list of Arjuna Award - the top honour in Indian sport - for the year 2014, marking the first time any basket player has been named for this prestigious award in more than a decade.

The last time a basketballer received the Arjuna Award - which carries a cash prize of INR 500,000 (approx 10,000 USD), a bronze statuette of Indian mythological warrior Arjuna and a scroll - was when Parminder Singh received it in 2001.

Overall, Geethu becomes the 17th basketball player to win the Arjuna Award.

"This is a great honour," the 29-year-old said upon hearing of the news.

"This is an honour for basketball in India. It's been a long time (since) we (basketball) got the Arjuna. I think it was overdue for our sport.

"I dedicate this award to all my teammates, coaches, officials and the thousands of fans who stood by me and basketball all these years. It's a tribute to the persistence, perseverance and patience of the basketball fans,” added Geethu, who has averaged double-digit scoring in four consecutive FIBA Asia Championships for Women.

"I hope that many more youngsters will be inspired by the recognition that the government has bestowed upon me.

"For me, the game comes first. Fame, money and recognition are all secondary. It's the game that helped me achieve all of these things," explained the first player from India to play in the Australian WNBL Second Division.

FIBA Asia