Background on ISWOTY
The aim of this grand event is to showcase and celebrate women in sports, the global achievements of Indian sportswomen across all sporting disciplines and highlight the issues and challenges. It is part of the BBC’s continued commitment to bring the focus on women where they are not victims but hero who have achieved global success in various fields. The event is now in its fifth year.
The inaugural edition in 2019 PV Sindhu was adjudged the winner. The winner of the 2020 edition was World Chess Champion Koneru Humpy, while Mirabai Chanu won the 2021 and 2022 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award. To celebrate the achievements of young female talent, we also honour the Emerging player of the year. Cricketer Shafali Varma, Nitu Ghanghas and Shooter Manu Bhaker have been the recipients of this award.
The BBC also honours a female sports veteran with the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award for their achievements and contribution to sports. PT Usha, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari and Pritam Siwach have been the winners of this prestigious award thus far.
We at the BBC are also committed to Diversity and Inclusion in all walks of life. And hence to make the awards more inclusive, BBC last year also introduced BBC Indian Para-Sportswoman of the year award. Bhavina Patel – Table tennis player won this award in 2022.
Nominees for the awards are selected by an esteemed jury. After we announce the nominees, we open the voting lines for our audience. One can go to any of the BBC Indian Languages or BBC Sports website to vote for their choice.
The guest list includes top Indian sportspersons, Parliamentarians, dignitaries from the field of politics and culture, foreign dignitaries as well as senior BBC leaders from our UK head offices.