New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal received a cash award of Rs.25 lakh from the sports ministry for reaching the women's singles final of the All England Open Badminton Championships in March.

Saina became the third Indian and first woman from the country to reach the final of the prestigious tournament where she lost to reigning World Champion Carolina Marin at Birmingham.

"The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has given a cash award of Rs.25 lakh to Ms. Saina Nehwal, badminton player, for her runner-up position in All England Open Badminton Championship 2015 held in Birmingham (United Kingdom) from 8-13 March 2015," said a government release.

"Cash Award has been given to Ms. Nehwal from the ministry’s scheme of special awards to medal winners in international sports events and their coaches."

Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand had won the men's singles title of the tournament in 1980 and 2001, respectively.