Mumbai: The third edition of BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award is returning with the nominations being announced on 8 February. The award commemorates the achievements and contributions of outstanding Indian women in sports. 

Audiences will be able to vote for their favourite Indian sportswoman from the five nominees shortlisted by a jury of sports journalists, experts and sportswriters.  The online voting will take place globally on BBC Indian languages websites and on BBC Sport and the winner will be announced on 7 March, said the statement.

BBC will honour two other Indian sports stars with the ‘BBC Emerging player award’ which recognises new talent, and the ‘BBC Lifetime Achievement' award, which goes to a legendary sports personality who has contributed exceptionally to the field of Indian sports.

“The year 2022 is special not only because we will be launching the third edition of ISWOTY, but we are also celebrating 100 glorious years of the BBC," said BBC News head of India Rupa Jha. "This award ties in so well with the true spirit of the BBC to celebrate the fearless and the courageous.  Once again, we come together to honour those women who triumphed against all odds and made the world more equal and fair.”

Indian chess player and the winner of BBC ISWOTY 2020 Koneru Humpy expressed her delight on the return of the award and said, “BBC ISWOTY is a wonderful initiative that encourages the younger generation, and boosts women players’ recognition. As a chess player when I was nominated by the BBC ISWOTY, I received a lot of recognition from India and all over the world.”