Sports Awards 2024 : The much-anticipated announcement of the National Sports Awards 2024 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has brought immense pride to India’s sporting community. These prestigious awards recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of athletes, coaches, and institutions that have significantly contributed to the nation’s sports legacy. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on January 17, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu conferring the honors.
Khel Ratna Award Winners: Icons of Indian Sports
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest accolade in Indian sports, will be awarded to four exceptional athletes whose achievements have inspired millions:
- Manu Bhaker: A two-time Olympic medalist in shooting, her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics solidified her position as a global icon in the sport.
- D. Gukesh: The young chess prodigy and World Chess Champion has redefined excellence in the world of chess.
- Harmanpreet Singh: Captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, his leadership was instrumental in elevating the team’s global standing.
- Praveen Kumar: A para-athlete who has showcased exceptional grit and talent, bringing glory to the nation in international competitions.
Arjuna Awards 2024: Honoring Sporting Brilliance
A total of 34 athletes will receive the Arjuna Award for their outstanding performances in their respective disciplines. These include:
Athletics
- Jyoti Yaraji
- Annu Rani
Boxing
- Neetu
- Sweety
Chess
- Vantika Agrawal
Hockey
- Salima Tete
- Abhishek
- Sanjay
- Germanpreet Singh
- Sukhjeet Singh
Para-Sports
- Rakesh Kumar (Para-Archery)
- Preeti Pal, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Dharamveer, Pranav Surma, H. Hokato Sema, Simran, Navdeep (Para-Athletics)
- Thulasimathi Murugesan, Nitya Shri Sumathi Sivan, Manisha Ramdas (Para-Badminton)
- Kapil Parmar (Para-Judo)
- Mona Agrawal, Rubina Francis (Para-Shooting)
Shooting
- Swapnil Suresh Kusale
- Sarabjot Singh
Other Disciplines
- Abhay Singh (Squash)
- Sajan Prakash (Swimming)
- Aman Sehwarat (Wrestling)
Lifetime Achievement in Sports: Arjuna Award
This year, the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement will honor:
- Sucha Singh (Athletics)
- Murlikant Rajaram Petkar (Para-Swimming), recognizing decades of unwavering dedication to their disciplines.
Dronacharya Awards: Celebrating Coaching Excellence
The Dronacharya Award recognizes coaches for their exceptional mentorship. This year’s recipients include:
Regular Category
- Subhash Rana (Para-Shooting)
- Deepali Deshpande (Shooting)
- Sandeep Sangwan (Hockey)
Lifetime Achievement
- S. Muralidharan (Badminton)
- Armando Agnelo Colaco (Football)
National Sports Promotion Awards 2024
The Physical Education Foundation of India will receive the National Sports Promotion Award for its contribution to fostering sports at the grassroots level.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Universities Leading the Charge
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy recognizes the best performing universities in sports. This year’s winners are:
- Chandigarh University – Overall Winner
- Lovely Professional University – First Runner-up
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – Second Runner-up
Looking Ahead: A Nation Inspired by Its Champions
The National Sports Awards 2024 not only celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Indian athletes but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. The awardees exemplify discipline, determination, and excellence, underscoring India’s growing prominence in global sports.
As the country continues to invest in sports infrastructure and training, the horizon looks promising for a new wave of talent to emerge, further solidifying India’s position as a powerhouse in the world of sports.
