Do You Know About These National Sports Awards In India?
The National Sports Awards to India are brought about by high talent, continuous hard work and dedication of the sportspersons, coaches and also organizations that greatly contribute to sports development in India. The sportsperson and sportsperson with a disability and the coach who is renowned and has an impact in their respective sport are honoured with the National Sports Awards by the Ministry Of Youth Affairs and Sports yearly. There are six core awards constituting the National Sports Awards. These include the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, the Dronacharya Award, the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy or MAKA Trophy and the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar. Besides these important awards, there are other major awards instituted long ago too, in the year 1994, namely, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, the national honors conferment for achievements in the fields of adventure sports. 1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is Indian sports’ greatest pride. It was instituted in 1991-92 and rechristened in 2021 to be called after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, honoring sportsmen or sportswomen who have done something outstanding in all disciplines for four consecutive years. A medallion, certificate and cash award accompany such honours. Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was the first recipient of this award and since then, sporting icons like MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Virat Kohli and Abhinav Bindra have been conferred with the award. Bindra, who won at 18, was the youngest ever winner and the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold in 2008, making the Khel Ratna one of the most prestigious awards. 2. Arjuna Award The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961, for which the statuette, as well as certificate and prize money, would be given by the Government for an outstanding achievement. It was previously known as India’s highest sporting honor before Khel Ratna. It gives out a four-year continuous exceptional performance. The first Arjuna Awardee was the footballer PK Banerjee and the tradition of honouring the athletes with the Arjuna Award is still alive today. 3. Dronacharya Award The Dronacharya Award was established in 1985 and it so happens that it is the highest recognition to coaches in India. It goes to coaches who have produced medal winners at the biggest international events. Named after the revered teacher of Arjuna in the Mahabharata, Dronacharya, this award brings to light the contributions of these coaches that paved the way to successful athletes. The first of them comprised names such as wrestling coach Bhalchandra Bhagwat and athletics coach OM Nambiar, mentor to the great PT Usha. 4. Major Dhyan Chand Award (Now Arjuna Award Lifetime) In 2024, India renamed its Major Dhyan Chand Award the Arjuna Award Lifetime in a bid to rationalize the sporting honours bestowed by the nation. This lifetime achievement award honors people who have made lasting contributions in their sport and recognizes outstanding achievements in sports. Formerly known as the Major Dhyan Chand Award, it honored career-long achievements and success of sportspeople and their impact on Indian sport. 5. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA Trophy) Named after the freedom fighter and the first education minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the oldest National Sports Award instituted in the year 1956 is known by the name of MAKA Trophy. Presented to that university that does best in order to portray performance, MAKA Trophy presents importance at academic levels, for bringing new talent, which has to be groomed up well. And the Guru Nanak Dev University has been among one that did great all over its years of operations. 6. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was initiated in the year 2009 to motivate and recognize such organizations and persons who are trying to build up sports. Awards have been given in this scheme on several heads including scouting of talent, corporate social responsibility in sports, employment of sportspersons and sportspersons for social cause. Some may be sanctioned under this head during a particular year under these various heads. 7. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award was instituted in 1994 and it is named after Tenzing Norgay, the first Indian to successfully conquer Mount Everest. Activities in this Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award include mountaineering, skydiving, sailing and open water swimming, to name a few. This award was categorized into four categories, namely: land adventure, water adventure, air adventure and lifetime achievement, since it gives credence to the adventure spirit, as well as to those individuals pushing their limits through extreme sports. National Sports Awards 2025 The National Sports Awards are set to take place on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awardees are set to receive their awards from the President Of India, Sri. Droupadi Murmu. The Ministry Of Youth Affairs And Sports announces the national Sports Awards. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Praveen Kumar Takes Home The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 on India’s para-athletics star, Praveen Kumar. The prestigious award bestowed by the President Of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu shows Praven Kumar’s extraordinary contributions to the world of para-athletics and his exceptional performances. A Bit About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, instituted in 1991 as a tribute to the legendary Indian hockey icon, Major Dhyan Chand, is the highest sports award given in India. It was established to appreciate the athletes for their exemplary achievement in their sports at an international level. The Government Of India will now take pride in awarding Praveen Kumar with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 on 17th January, 2025. Praveen Kumar’s Journey Of Devotion Praveen Kumar is a para-athlete who competes in the Men’s High Jump event. He has managed to capture the imagination of sports enthusiasts across the country. Born in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, he had a congenital impairment that affects the bones connecting the hips to the legs. However, Praveen has proved himself to be one of India’s most promising para-athletes. Praven Kumar’s Hunt For Medals His adventure into sports began in the year 2019. He won a silver medal at the World Para Junior Championships in Switzerland. Under the able guidance of coach Satyapal Singh, his potential caught the eye immediately. In the shortest possible time, he won a silver at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics with a jump of 2.07 meters. Praveen Kumar’s ‘High-Jump’ In Para-Athletics Praveen Kumar won the gold in World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2022 and in the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, smashing the records and emerging successful not just as another winner but also smasher of all time Games records. Huge applause and cheering have Praveen Kumar and achieving a gold for the first time at the 2024 Paris Paralympics place him firmly amongst one of the most decorated Indian para-athletes ever. Praveen Kumar Serves As An Inspiration The story of Praveen Kumar is full of hard work, and inspiration. What makes his journey unique is the unique entry into the world of para-sports. Praveen Kumar, being a keen volleyball player during his school days, found para-athletics after a very inspiring Google search wherein he came to know about high jump as an option for his sport. He has received international recognition and accolades through his commitment and passion for his craft. The support comes in the form of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) backing for Praveen Kumar, who has secured admission at Delhi University. Coach Satyapal Singh has been quite instrumental in ensuring he reaches the pinnacle of success in para-athletics. It speaks of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024, testifying to the relentless toil and will to succeed put forth by Praveen Kumar. He inspires generations with hope and makes others believe that there is still more for them, especially in para-sports, which are still budding sports. Praveen Kumar To Receive The Khel Ratna The journey of Praveen Kumar in para-athletics is far from over with his eyes on further success. Preparations have already begun as he is to receive the Khel Ratna Award on January 17, 2025 and India looks forward to more milestones in the remarkable career of one of India’s brightest stars in para-sports. Praveen Kumar’s success proves that no challenge is ever insurmountable as long as passion and perseverance are at play. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Manu Bhaker Takes Home The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
Indian shooting sensation, Manu Bhaker, will be soon awarded India’s sporting arena’s highest accolade — the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024. For her exemplary contributions and achievements in the sport of shooting, the President Of India, Sri. Droupadi Murmu will present this award on January 17, 2025, to Manu Bhaker. A Bit About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Instituted in 1991, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has been given in honor of the legendary Indian hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand. This award will catapult Manu Bhaker into the history of sporting activities of India as one of the historic bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 for players of international sports of excellence who have rendered outstanding performances at international levels. Manu Bhaker’s Path Towards Glory The road for Manu Bhaker in this landmark achievement had actually begun at the age of 14. She had passed through various kinds of sports in her life-tennis, boxing, and skating-before finally settling upon shooting. Once she decided that shooting was something for her, passion for the sport began at a rapid speed, and by the end of the week when she decided it, her father, being a very steady support to her, went out and bought a pistol to initiate what would go on to be a legendary career. Manu Bhaker’s Meteoric Ascent Manu Bhaker reached her peak within a very short span of time. Bhaker, who has crowned herself as National champion in 2017 at National Shooting Championships, had set a national record for producing 242.3 in 10m Air Pistol far higher than Olympian and former world No.1 Heena Sidhu. She did win a silver medal in Asian Junior Championships that year itself, thereby already consolidating her status as one of the brightest stars of young India. Manu Bhaker’s First International Experience 2018 has been the season where Bhaker announced herself globally. She, at Guadalajara, made history breaching the qualification round junior world record and won her very first gold as a 16-year-old, which gave her the right to be an ISSF World Cup gold medallist when only 16 years old-a record that may be difficult for anyone else in the country. Manu Bhaker continued on the same winning spree, bagging multiple golds in single events and team mixed events also. Manu Bhaker Breaks Records Manu Bhaker shot a new Games record to clinch the gold in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. This streak of success was topped by a good performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she narrowly missed a medal as her pistol jammed at the crucial moment after topping the qualification round. Her efforts finally paid off when she won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol at the 2024 Paris Olympics and so entered the league of the world’s best shooters. Manu Bhaker; A Deserving Candidate For A Big Prize This prize appreciates not only the feat she achieved at the competition level but also for the efforts that she had made and perseverance with which she managed to bring the attention of the whole world to Indian shooting. Bhaker has motivated thousands of youngsters all across the nation with the performances that she gave and with the saga of persistence which she tells about facing all kinds of adversities. Bright Future For Manu Bhaker Ahead Manu Bhaker’s name will be etched in the pages of history books next to sporting legends of India as she is one of the select few who receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The Government Of India will confer this distinction on Bhaker on January 17, 2025, in a ceremony that will forever etch her name in Indian sport history. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Harmanpreet Singh Takes Home The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain, Harmanpreet Singh, is set to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 granted by the President of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu on January 17, 2025. Indeed it would be perfect and beautiful recognition of his great contributions toward Indian hockey and the unforgettable success he had in the international arena. Where Did It All Start For Harmanpreet Singh? From the panchayat poodle of a small hamlet in Punjab to an erstwhile career in mythology, Harmanpreet Singh is that name who today boasts of being the world’s greatest drag-flicker and is a role model for crores of aspirants. From having a consistent belief in self-performance to sheer dedication and devotion, Harmanpreet Singh, as a player, Captain and defensive guru, has, instead of redefining a hockey defender’s role, increased the ante of India against the world stage. Was Harmanpreet Singh Always Into Hockey? Harmanpreet was exposed to the world of sport at a pretty young age; he played his fair share of games like cricket, volleyball, football, however, hockey would definitely call his name. And when he was 10, he discovered this game, however, by the time he reached 15, it wasn’t unusual to see him honing his skills at the Surjit Singh Hockey Academy. He wanted to be a forward, but destiny had other plans. He turned out to be a master drag-flicker and went on to define his career as one of the finest exponents of the skill in world hockey. Harmanpreet Singh Making Waves In Junior Tournaments This is the reason with which Harmanpreet Singh has graduated to the top rank of hockey after performing miraculously well in junior tournaments, one of which was the 2014 Sultan of Johor Cup, from which he brought home the Man of the Tournament title after scoring nine goals. He was also the Top Scorer in both the 2015 Junior Asia Cup and Junior World Cup, which actually helped him move to the senior national team for which he made his debut in 2015. Harmanpreet Singh’s Leadership Takes India To New Heights Harmanpreet Singh is the captain of the Indian Hockey Team. Under his leadership, India achieved some historic wins. India finally ended the 41-year Olympic medal drought when India clinched a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He further illuminated leadership in helping the team bring another Olympic medal home for the 2024 Paris Games. He led India to win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2022. Here, he asserted himself as the most influential player in Indian hockey. Why Do We Call Harmanpreet Singh As ‘Sarpanch Sahab’? Harmanpreet Singh is one of those sportspersons from the country, who keeps his cool nerves are tense times and delivers under pressure. Therefore, people love giving him the sobriquet “Sarpanch Sahab,” a leader, who is in charge, not only out there in the fields but also on the field. He boasts of penalty corners that are precision-oriented and breaks into opposition defenses with a precision drag-flick that makes him one of the most feared persons across the world. Harmanpreet Singh’s Awards Cabinet It has been many years and the number of awards received seems to grow with each passing day. A three-time FIH Player of the Year, Harmanpreet Singh has won the Arjuna Award and now also the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The award once again establishes him as one of India’s greatest hockey players. With 212 goals from 241 international matches, Harmanpreet is the modern-day torchbearer of Indian hockey, a living legend whose influence extends far beyond the playing field. Harmanpreet Singh remains very simple with so many accolades going on in the kitty. Giving all the kudos to incessant family backing by members like wife Amandeep Kaur and daughter Ruhanat Kaur. An exceptionally happy individual life away from the turf and this he would give more of his sights for taking hockey forward from a long distance of growth as an international role model toward young upcoming ones. Shining Years Ahead Now, with Harmanpreet Singh receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, generations of hockey players are now moving to inspire through his journey. Staring at a plethora of tournaments on the horizon and more milestones down the road, the hockey world waits with bated breath for the next line of his illustrious career. Through dedication, leadership, and passion for the sport, Harmanpreet Singh has his place in being one of the greatest icons ever in Indian sports history. A Bit About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, under the name of the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, was founded in 1991. India’s highest sporting honor was presented to the sportspersons for their extraordinary performance and for their contributions toward their respective games at the international level. One of the most deserving candidates for such a prestigious award is Harmanpreet Singh, due to his very unique feats in the game of hockey. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Gukesh D Takes Home The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 on India’s chess prodigy, Gukesh D. The prestigious award bestowed by the President Of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu shows Gukesh’s extraordinary contributions to the world of chess and his exceptional performances. A Bit About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, instituted in 1991 as a tribute to the legendary Indian hockey icon, Major Dhyan Chand, is the highest sports award given in India. It was established to appreciate the athletes for their exemplary achievement in their sports at an international level. The Government Of India will now take pride in awarding Gukesh D with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 on 17th January, 2025. Gukesh D’s Path Towards Glory Gukesh D first set foot in the chess world at seven years old in his hometown, Chennai. It was at school that the game was introduced to him and after six months of playing, he became a FIDE-rated player. Early talent and hard work thus set him on a series of successes internationally. How Gukesh D Climbed Up The Ladder? Gukesh D’s first major victory for him came in 2015 when he emerged as U-9 Asian Schools Chess Champion, which promoted him to the rank of Candidate Master (CM). He never stopped moving ahead and his successes include five gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships held in various formats in 2018 and the U-12 World Youth Chess Championship that same year. In March 2018, Gukesh earned the title of International Master (IM) and by the end of January in 2019, at only 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, he stood as the second youngest Grandmaster (GM) in history, finishing just 17 days shy of the record book. Although his record was surpassed, Gukesh’s exploits remained a symbol of his brilliant talent. Gukesh D Making History At The 44th Chess Olympiad And Beyond At the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022, Gukesh rose to a new height by taking part in the event held in his home city of Chennai. He scored an impressive 9/11, earning an individual gold medal and played a pivotal role in helping India finish on a historic bronze medal finish. This was followed by another milestone: Gukesh crossed the 2700 rating mark, reaching a career-high of 2726 and becoming the third youngest player to do so after Wei Yi and Alireza Firouzja. Apart from his performances at the Olympiad, Gukesh D made history by becoming the youngest player to defeat World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid event. He continued his meteoric rise into 2023 when he became the youngest player to achieve a 2750 rating, breaking Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand’s hold on the top spot for the first time in 37 years. Gukesh D’s Road To Victory Till The World Chess Championship 2024 Gukesh’s performances turned in a crowning glory when he qualified for the 2024 Candidates Tournament, making him the third youngest player to qualify for this prestigious event, after Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. His success didn’t end there – in December 2024, Gukesh became the youngest-ever Chess World Champion after a thrilling 14th-round victory over Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship in Singapore. His meteoric rise has not only cemented his place among the best players but also placed a new phenomenon for young chess players in India and worldwide. Family And Community Support Behind every success story there is a super support system. Gukesh’s journey is the same. Believed in a lot by parents, Dr Rajnikant and Dr Padma, Gukesh’s triumph is a corollary to their belief about his potential. As a surgeon and father, all aspects of life, including a social media presence as well as itinerary for travel events, were arranged by him because he accompanied the young boy, Gukesh, to cross the globe playing tournaments. Meanwhile, his mother played a great role in boosting him emotionally. She encouraged him constantly with both victories and setbacks. His educational journey also had a lot to do with his chess career. Gukesh D is a student of Velammal Vidhyalaya in Chennai, which has produced many promising chess talents like Grandmasters Kartikeyan, Arvind Chitambaram and Praggnanandhaa. The Future Shines Bright For Gukesh D Gukesh D’s ascendancy to the peak of world chess has not only been great, but even fabulous. Having crossed 18, his victories had rewritten history regarding what Indian juniors were considered capable of doing. Through this Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, contributions made by Gukesh D are officially marked by the country and seems to brighten up more promisingly. As he continues to compete on the highest levels, Gukesh D’s passion, dedication and natural talent will inspire hundreds of young chess enthusiasts worldwide that, with determination, the game of kings can be conquered indeed. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye