Tuesday, August 29 2006 11:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Ace shuttler Aparna Popat Monday (28 Aug, 2006) says she is happy to get the Arjuna award even if it comes very late in her career. Aparna, who is here to attend a function organised the Sports Authority of India, says the award is still a motivating factor for her.

"It is always good to get an award like this one. It is still motivating factor for me. Even if it came late, it is good to win it," she tells sources on the sidelines of the function.

Asked whether it would have been better if the award had come little earlier, Aparna says, "It came when it had to come. It's still a nice feeling to achieve something like this."

The prestigious Arjuna award eludes the nine-time national women's champion as she got embroils in a dope controversy in 2000.

The badminton star rules the roost in the sport in the country for decade during which she rises to a creditable World No 15 in ranking.

Aparna, who has not played since the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, says she would like to make a comeback after recovering completely from a wrist injury.

"I hope my injury will heal up sooner than later and I would be able to make a comeback in a new way," she says.