Purnima Mahto

She is one of women archery’s able gurus. And it is little surprise that recurve coach Purnima Mahto has been named as a frontrunner for the coveted Dronacharya Award this year.

If the 37-year-old — who has mentored the likes of Deepika Kumari — makes the final cut, surpassing four other eligible contenders, she will be the second archery instructor from the steel city to bask in the glory.

Six years ago, former Tata Steel sports department chief Sanjeeva Singh was the first to bag this honour. The award, instituted in 1985, comprises a bronze statuette of Dronacharya, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

The selection panel, headed by hockey Olympian Ashok Kumar Singh, met in Delhi on Thursday and recommended Purnima’s name along with that of Narendra Singh Saini (hockey), Mahavir Singh (boxing), K.P. Thomas (athletics) and Raj Singh (secretary-general of Wrestling Federation of India).

The list will be forward to Union sports minister Jitendra Singh for final selection and the official announcement of the winner is expected by mid-August. The President will present the Dronacharya Award on August 29, observed as the Sports Day.

“I am excited. I received communication last evening,” Purnima said. Modest to the core, she refused further limelight. “My name has only been recommended. We shall talk if and when I receive it,” the resident of Birsanagar added.

Tata Archery Academy coach, Purnima’s name is synonymous with women’s archery in India. A former national champion, she shared her skills with the women’s squad in 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 edition in London.

Purnima grew up watching archery at a range near her Birsanagar home and later started training in Burmamines. She made her India debut in 1992. She has won medals at both national and international competitions. She hit the headlines after slotting home six gold medals at the 1994 Pune National Games. She also claimed two silver medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.