President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on outstanding sports figures during a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Among the honorees were world chess champion Gukesh D, Olympic and Paralympic medalists Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar, all of whom were recognized for their remarkable achievements in sports.
Gukesh D, the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, was honored for his stunning victory over China’s Ding Liren in Singapore, solidifying his place in history. Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete to win twin medals in a single edition of the Paris Olympics, received the award after claiming two bronze medals in shooting.
In hockey, Harmanpreet Singh was celebrated for leading India to its second consecutive Olympic bronze in men’s hockey. Praveen Kumar, a para-athlete, earned recognition for his gold medal in the high jump T64 at the Paralympics. These athletes were honored for their stellar performances over the past four years, epitomizing excellence in their respective fields.
Arjuna Awards Recognize Emerging Talents
In addition to the Khel Ratna, 32 athletes, including 17 para-athletes, received the Arjuna Award for their extraordinary contributions to sports. The list of awardees includes names such as Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani, Nitu, and Saweety, who have all made significant strides in their sporting disciplines. The Arjuna Award, given for exceptional performance over four years, also celebrates qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.
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The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) was conferred on former cyclist Sucha Singh and para-swimmer Murlikant Rajaram Petkar, who were honored for their enduring contributions to sports. Petkar, who made history at the 1972 Paralympic Games by winning a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Freestyle 3, was especially recognized for his pioneering role in Paralympic sports.
The Dronacharya Award, presented to coaches for their consistent and meritorious work, was given to Subhash Rana (para-shooter), Deepali Deshpande (shooting), and Sandeep Sangwan (hockey). In the lifetime category, coaches S. Muralidharan (badminton) and Armando Agnelo Colaco (football) were also honored for their contributions to training athletes who excelled at the international level.
Institutions Recognized for Promoting Sports
The Physical Education Foundation of India was honored with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar, a recognition for organizations that promote sports at various levels. Additionally, Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University (PB), and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy for their overall outstanding performances in the Khelo India University Games.
This ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan not only celebrated individual achievements but also highlighted the ongoing contributions of coaches, organizations, and universities to the development and promotion of sports in India.
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