Hockey star Saba Anjum receives Padma Shri

Former Indian women's hockey team captain Saba Anjum received the country's fourth highest civilian honour -- the Padma Shri -- from President Pranab Mukherjee during a glittering ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Wednesday.

Saba was also conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2013. The Chhattisgarh player was a prominent forward and represented India during the 2002 Asian Games, 2004 Asia Cup, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the 2001 Junior World Cup. She was part of the bronze medal winning team at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Saba was elevated to the skipper's spot in 2011 and during her 15-year-long international career, she scored 92 goals in 200 matches.

"It is a great honour for me as well as Indian women's hockey. We are very grateful to the government of India for recognising the efforts of women's hockey in this country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hockey India (HI) for giving me the support which always boosted my confidence," Saba said.