Sarabjot Singh Takes Home The Arjuna Award 2024
Sarabjot Singh’s success in his shooting career will mark the reason for the honor of the prestigious Arjuna Award, which he is to receive from no other than the President Of India, Shri Droupadi Murmu on January 17, 2025. A Bit More About The Arjuna Award The Arjuna Award is awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the Indian sportspersons with exceptional performances in their respective sports. For Sarabjot Singh, it was the fruit of sheer hard work, more so after an inspiring performance in the Paris Olympics 2024. Sarabjot Singh’s Stunning Performances At Paris 2024 Sarabjot Singh was part of history with Manu Bhaker in the mixed team event 10m pistol in the Paris Olympics 2024. Then, this disheartening moment came when Sarabjot Singh was barely missing the mark and could not get his way into the final of the competition in men’s 10m pistol. Here, the gallant Sarabjot Singh was a star player when he joined Manu Bhaker and brought India’s second Olympic medal at Paris 2024 as a bronze medal in the mixed team event. Sarabjot Singh’s Story Sarabjot Singh comes from Dheen village in Ambala, Haryana. His father is a farmer, and mother is a homemaker: Jatinder Singh and Hardeep Kaur. Sarabjot had the simplest of backgrounds. He was a student of DAV College, Chandigarh, coached by Abhishek Rana. Was Sarabjot Singh Always Into Shooting? Sarabjot Singh was into shooting initially because kids used to practice at summer camp with air guns. He always wanted to become a footballer. He had been drawn towards the shooting sport as he saw many young shooters. When he was 13, Sarabjot Singh expressed his desire to his father to take up shooting as a sport. His father was apprehensive of the fact that it was too expensive. Sarabjot’s determination made him take up shooting. His persistence paid off with a Gold medal at the 2019 Junior World Championship in Suhl. Sarabjot Singh And Manu Bhaker Script History This is history in the making as Sarabjot Singh and Manu Bhaker bagged a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team on July 30, 2024, in Paris at Chateauroux Shooting Centre. For all the series of the competition, the Indian duo managed to lead and establish an initial advantage going into the final round where they remained well-attentive, closing out the South Korean challenge, 16-10. Sarabjot Singh At The Olympics Sarabjot Singh had no easy sailing at the Olympics. Sarabjot could not qualify for the finals of the qualification round in men’s 10m air pistol; he did come close, though. Ninth place is not far from a medal. Disappointed yet composed, Sarabjot Singh had decided to take this experience as a lesson. Interviewed by the host broadcaster right after the qualification round, Sarabjot confessed to an off day and vowed to put in extra efforts and make amends later on. It was sheer persistence and composure of Sarabjot Singh that he went out to win this gold medal with Manu Bhaker in such a milestone. Little did this small town from Dheen village know that one among its villagers would soon go out to win his Olympic medal. Such is the relentless dedication and passion that Sarabjot Singh has for shooting. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Swapnil Kusale Takes Home The Arjuna Award 2024
Swapnil Kusale is set to receive the Arjuna Award which will be given by the President of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu on January 17th, 2025. A Bit More About The Arjuna Award The Arjuna Award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is taken as an award for extraordinary performances by sportspersons in international events. Kusale is finally being awarded in the manner that all his struggle throughout his career will come to an end with this big performance at Paris Olympics 2024. Swapnil Kusale Takes The Indian Flag High At Paris 2024 All of it would eventually lead to Swapnil Kusale leaving with the Bronze in the Men’s 50m 3-Position Shooting Event of the 2024 Paris Olympics. That would mean not only he would find his name etched in the pages of Olympic history but also, on that day, India would add its third medal of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The score in the final was 451.4. This surely speaks to Swapnil Kusale’s skills and composure in the heat of the moment, as he claimed his first-ever Olympic medal on debut. He is as poised under extreme competition that had almost bettered the colour of his medal in an extremely competitive field. A pretty special win by Swapnil Kusale in Paris comes at the end of long years of toil and commitment which places him firmly in the rank of shooting stars of India. Swapnil Kusale’s Rise To The Shooting Stardom Swapnil Kusale’s sports career began at the age of 19 years. Kusale had enrolled in the Maharashtra-based sports development program Krida Prabhodini to begin training there way back in 2009. The following year Swapnil Kushale’s had made up his mind that he will focus on the shooting sport- and it is going to make his life while being one of the most promising shooters for India. Swapnil Kusale Making A Mark The milestones mark Swapnil Kusale’s ascendancy in the shooting world. In 2015, he bagged a gold medal in the junior category of the 50m rifle prone event during the Asian Shooting Championships held in Kuwait. He impressed at national events, winning gold at both the 59th and the 61st National Shooting Championships in the 50m rifle events. In 2022, Swapnil Kusale had won himself an Olympic quota for India by securing fourth position at the World Championship in Cairo, Egypt, in the men’s 50m rifle 3-position. This was thus when he sealed his seat to Paris 2024, which he finally wanted to stamp his presence there. Swapnil Kusale’s Journey To The Top Swapnil Kusale did not find an easy way to the top. He suffered a gigantic health blow in 2023 when he acquired a chronic tonsil problem which caused a great deal of ache and fever, but also weakened him at the same time. Through some doctors, it was finally diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Kusale was not going to let this one obstacle come between him, and he fought against that painful physical scenario, which kept going to training till the end so that he eventually won the trials for the Olympic games of 2024. His stature in adversity makes his legacy one of the most determined athletes India has ever seen. Swapnil Kusale’s Story of Inspiration An otherwise illustrious career now has an enhanced light through parallels drawn with that other cricketing superstar, MS Dhoni. His life is perhaps the most relevant example of somebody who juggled a high-paying job with high-octane sports. Kusale has been the ticket collector on Central Railways since 2015. Indeed, it finds a parallel when one considers the life history of MS. Dhoni, who as a cricketer was himself a professional during his time of playing. Similarity Between MS Dhoni And Swapnil Kusale Both MS Dhoni and Swapnil Kusale are known to be very calm and composed under pressure, which has been a major reason for their success. Dhoni has had a great influence on Swapnil Kusale, as the story of the legendary cricketer who rose from the grassroots and excelled under pressure has been a big time source of inspiration for the shooter. Looking Ahead The country is celebrating him as a commitment and talent show as Swapnil Kusale is set to receive the Arjuna Award. This is going to be the most memorable episode in Indian sports and is quite apt for an excellent contribution of his to the world of shooting in getting the Arjuna Award. Still looking for more, this is just the start for Swapnil Kusale, who is going to be eyed by India in years ahead as a sure prospect for glory on the international stage, for he has already attained the pinnacle and the Arjuna Award marks just one milestone in his magnificent career. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Annu Rani Takes Home The Arjuna Award 2024
Indian javelin thrower Annu Rani will be awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award 2024 on January 17, 2025 by the President Of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has honored Annu Rani with the prestigious award for her outstanding contributions in athletics and outstanding performances on the international arena. Annu Rani’s Early Life Annu Rani was born on 28 August 1992 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Annu Rani was not a career girl from stardom. Annu Rani was a lower-middle-class girl, and though her father could never believe that athletics would be a career for his daughter, it was actually her brother Upendra who encouraged Annu Rani to take up javelin throw as a sport. And due to availability of limited resources and limited finance, she fashioned her first javelin out of bamboo. How Annu Rani Climbed Up The Ladder? It has been Annu Rani breaking national records in 2014 that initiated her illustrious career into javelin throws. She was the very first Indian woman to qualify herself for the women’s javelin throw finals, at the World Athletics Championships for the first time in 2019, whose caliber shines on any international platform. Annu Rani won a bronze medal at Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 and became the first-ever Indian lady javelin thrower who was able to receive a medal in the event itself. Annu Rani’s Exceptional 2023 In 2023, Annu Rani won the gold medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, thereby going to the pinnacle of her career. This established her as one of the best javelin throwers in the world. Annu Rani did not manage to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 on merit but received a spot there through the ranking quota, which reflects the sort of unrelenting determination she needed to give her best. A Role Model for Future Generations Annu Rani’s victory inspires women in India to challenge set societal norms, empower the next generation of female athletes and gives a declaration of hard work and breaking barriers into the world of athletics, hence making her a true role model for aspiring athletes. 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
Preparations for Special Campaign 4.0 in full swing in Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
The Department of Sports, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, along with the organizations under it which include Sports Authority of India (SAI), Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), National Sports University (NSU), National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) is preparing for implementing the Special Campaign 4.0 with the specific aim of institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency in offices. The Preparatory Phase of the Campaign has started from 16th September 2024 to identify targets in respect of Pendency’s of PMO, VIP, State Government, MP, Cabinet References, and Record/Space Management. While the Implementation Phase will start on 2nd October 2024 and will last up to 31st October 2024. During the Implementation, Phase special focus will be on achieving the targets identified. With the beginning of the preparatory phase of the Special campaign, Nodal officers have been appointed in the Department and the organizations under it. Guidelines have been issued to all organizations to focus their efforts on preparation for Special Campaign 4.0. Action Plans have been received from the organizations for giving momentum to the activities and spreading the message of the campaign. The achievements of the Department of Sports during Special Campaign 3.0 is as under (from November 2023 to August 2024):