MAJOR DHYAN CHAND KHEL RATNA AWARD - SPORTS

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award - SPORTS

NEWS: Olympians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for their remarkable achievements in badminton.

  • Key Achievements of Duo:
    • World No. 1 in Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in 2023.
    • Asian Games Gold Medal in Hangzhou.

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

1. Genesis and Naming

  • The award is the highest sporting honour in India, instituted in 1991–92.
  • It is named after Major Dhyan Chand, an iconic Indian hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history.

2. Purpose and Objective

  • The award is given to sportspersons with the most spectacular and outstanding performance in international sports events.
  • It aims to honour excellence, consistency, and impact in sports over a period of the preceding four years.

3. Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to individual athletes from various disciplines who have shown exceptional performance at the international level.
  • The performance must reflect sustained excellence, discipline, and dedication, particularly in events like the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, etc.

4. Award Components

  • Includes a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, a medal, and a certificate of honour.
  • Serves as a national recognition of the athlete’s contribution to Indian sports and national pride.

5. Number of Recipients

  • Typically, one award is given annually, though in exceptional cases, more than one athlete may be awarded in a given year based on merit.

 

 Other Key Sports Awards by the Government of India

1. Arjuna Award

  • Objective: To recognize consistent and outstanding performance in sports over a sustained period.
  • Eligibility: Athletes who have shown remarkable performance in international sports competitions, including team and individual sports.
  • Award Details: Includes a bronze statuette of Arjuna, ₹15 lakh cash prize, and certificate.
  • Established: Instituted in 1961, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious sports awards in India.

 

2. Dronacharya Award

  • Objective: To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained athletes and contributed to India’s success in international competitions.
  • Eligibility: Coaches who have produced medal-winning athletes or teams at events like the Olympics, World Championships, or Asian Games.
  • Award Details: Comprises a statuette of Dronacharya, ₹15 lakh cash prize, and certificate.
  • Established: First awarded in 1985, named after Dronacharya, the legendary teacher from the Mahabharata.

 

3. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar

  • Objective: To acknowledge organizations, corporate entities, and individuals who have actively promoted and developed sports and athletes in India.
  • Eligibility: Includes contributions through training academies, sponsorships, infrastructure development, and talent identification.
  • Award Categories: Includes four sub-categories such as Corporate Involvement, Community Sports, and Sports for Development.
  • Award Details: Includes a citation and a trophy, but no cash prize.

 

4. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

  • Objective: To recognize individuals and groups for outstanding achievements in the field of adventure sports.
  • Fields Covered: Includes land, water, and air adventure sports, such as mountaineering, skydiving, deep-sea diving, and expeditions.
  • Award Details: Comprises a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, a medal, and a certificate.
  • Named After: Legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, one of the first to scale Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.

 

5. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy

  • Objective: To recognize the best performing university in India in terms of sports development and physical education.
  • Eligibility: Indian universities that have shown exceptional performance across inter-university and national sports events.
  • Award Details: Includes a rolling trophy, certificate, and financial grant to support sports activities.
  • Named After: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister and a key advocate for sports in education.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2125832