New Delhi: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza, who will receive the prestigious Khel Ratna award tomorrow, today said her former mixed doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi too is a deserving candidate for the honour and hoped he will receive the recognition in near future.

Sania, who is only the second tennis player after Leander Paes to be named for the award, said such a recognition
motivates a sportsperson to excel him or her for the country.