Suma Shirur Wins 'Coach of the Year (Female)' Award at Indian Sports Honors 2024
India's leading female coach, Suma Shirur, has been awarded the prestigious Coach of the Year (Female) award at the Indian Sports Honors 2024. The Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting Contingent was recognized for her transformative leadership and exceptional contribution to Indian Shooting.
Shirur, who is the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, was celebrated for her instrumental role in guiding the Indian shooting team to success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Her dedication to promoting gender parity in Indian sports has also been acknowledged, following the establishment of a dedicated shooting club, Lakshya Shooting Club, which has mentored over 200 national-level shooters.
The Indian Sports Honors ceremony, held recently, brought together prominent athletes, coaches, and sports personalities from across India. Shirur's relentless pursuit of excellence was evident as she stood out among the top honorees. Under her mentorship, India's shooters claimed three Olympic medals, marking a resurgence in Indian shooting on the global stage.
Shirur expressed gratitude for the award, emphasizing that it belonged to every athlete and team member who worked alongside her. She highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of resilience and focus among Indian athletes. The Coach of the Year (Female) award reinforces Shirur's impact as a coach who develops athletes to achieve their full potential.
The Indian Sports Honors celebrates outstanding achievements in sports, honoring top athletes, coaches, and teams across 14 categories. The esteemed jury panel, led by Abhinav Bindra, included notable sports personalities such as P.T. Usha, Anjali Bhagwat, Sanjog Gupta, Vijender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Sardar Singh.
Shirur's achievements demonstrate her dedication to grassroots development in sports and promoting gender parity. She continues to inspire young athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts nationwide through her coaching and advocacy work. The Coach of the Year (Female) award is a testament to Shirur's extraordinary contributions to Indian sports.