New Delhi: National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four year, Arjuna Award is given for consistency outstanding performance for four years, Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.
A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former Olympian, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sport Journalists/ Experts/ Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice (Ms.) Indermeet Kaur Kochhar (Former Judge of High Court of Delhi High Court). Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Justice Mr. Mukul Mudgal (Former Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab & Haryana High Court). Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Rahul Bhatnagar, Secretary (Sports). Selection Committee for MAKA Trophy was headed by Shri Ashok Kumar, former Olympian.
Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons, coaches and entities:
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2018
S. No.
Name of the Sportsperson
Discipline
1.
Ms. S. Mirabai Chanu
Weightlifting
2.
Shri Virat Kohli
Cricket
(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2018
S. No.
Name of the Coach
Discipline
Subedar Chenanda Achaiah Kuttappa
Boxing
Shri Vijay Sharma
Weightlifting
Shri A. Srinivasa Rao
Table Tennis
Shri Sukhdev Singh Pannu
Athletics
Shri Clarence Lobo
Hockey (Life Time)
Shri Tarak Sinha
Cricket (Life Time)
Shri Jiwan Kumar Sharma
Judo (Life Time)
Shri V.R. Beedu
Athletics (Life Time)
(iii) Arjuna Awards 2018
S. No.
Name of the Sportsperson
Discipline
Shri Neeraj Chopra
Athletics
Naib Subedar Jinson Johnson
Athletics
Ms. Hima Das
Athletics
Ms. Nelakurthi Sikki Reddy
Badminton
Subedar Satish Kumar
Boxing
Ms. Smriti Mandhana
Cricket
Shri Shubhankar Sharma
Golf
Shri Manpreet Singh
Hockey
Ms. Savita
Hockey
Col. Ravi Rathore
Polo
Ms. Rahi Sarnobat
Shooting
Shri Ankur Mittal
Shooting
Ms. Shreyasi Singh
Shooting
Ms. Manika Batra
Table Tennis
Shri G. Sathiyan
Table Tennis
Shri Rohan Bopanna
Tennis
Shri Sumit
Wrestling
Ms. Pooja Kadian
Wushu
Shri Ankur Dhama
Para-Athletics
Shri Manoj Sarkar
Para-Badminton
(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2018
S. No.
Name of the Sportsperson
Discipline
Shri Satyadev Prasad
Archery
Shri Bharat Kumar Chetri
Hockey
Ms. Bobby Aloysius
Athletics
Shri Chougale Dadu Dattatray
Wrestling
(vi) Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2018
S. No.
Category
Name of the entity
1.
Identification and Nurturing of Budding & Young Talent
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
2.
Encouragement to Sports through Corporate Social Responsibility
JSW Sports
3.
Sports for Development
Isha Outreach
(vii) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2017-18:
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 25th September, 2018.
Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs. 7.5 lakh. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each. A trophy and citation is given to the entity in the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, 2018. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies and certificates. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments will be given MAKA Trophy, award money of Rs. 10 lakh and certificate.
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