This 12 months’s Olympics and Paralympics have resulted in unprecedented medals by Indian sportspersons, ensuing within the highest variety of suggestions for the Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards.
Tokyo Olympic javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra, silver medalist wrestler Ravi Dahiya, bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh are among the many 11 names chosen for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the nation’s highest sporting honour.
India had the largest medal tally on the Tokyo Olympics with one gold, two silver and 4 bronze medals. The different three medal winners – wrestler Bajrang Punia, shuttler PV Sindhu and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu – have already been awarded the Khel Ratna.
Chopra, 23, grew to become solely the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win a person Olympic gold medal within the 10m air rifle taking pictures occasion on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. India despatched its largest ever Olympic contingent this 12 months to Tokyo.
All 5 gold medalists of the Tokyo Paralympics had been additionally chosen for the Khel Ratna on Wednesday. They are Avani Lekhara (Shooting), Manish Narwal (Shooting), Sumit Antil (Athletics), Pramod Bhagat (Badminton) and Krishna Nagar (Badminton).
India returned to the Paralympics with 19 medals together with 5 gold, eight silver and 6 bronze.
Apart from this, the choice committee additionally named footballer Sunil Chhetri and girls’s Test cricket captain Mithali Raj within the checklist, which is able to now be despatched to the Union Sports Ministry for approval.
The announcement of the National Sports Awards was delayed in order that efficiency within the Paralympics may be thought of.
The panel additionally nominated 35 athletes for the Arjuna Award, together with cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, para desk tennis participant Bhavna Patel, para shuttler Suhas Yathiraj and excessive jumper Nishad Kumar.
Others chosen by the panel for the Arjuna Award embody Sreejesh’s bronze-winning teammates, girls’s hockey gamers Vandana Kataria and Monika, fencers Bhavani Devi, boxer Simranjit Kaur, wrestler Deepak Punia, pistol shooter Abhishek Verma, boxer Simranjit Kaur, kabaddi participant. Including Sandeep. Narwal and feminine tennis participant Ankita Raina.
Mallakhamb gamers Himani Uttam Parab and Arpinder Singh (Triple Jump, Athletics) are additionally among the many recipients of the honours.
Last 12 months, 5 athletes had been chosen for the Khel Ratna, whereas 4 had been acquired after the 2016 Rio Games. Last 12 months, the variety of names chosen for the Arjuna Award was 27.
Former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had tried to persuade numerous award winners by arguing that India’s efficiency in worldwide competitions has improved considerably in latest instances and the awards ought to acknowledge and honor these achievements.
Not so way back, there was once multiple Khel Ratna awardee in a 12 months, and typically nobody was awarded the consideration if the committee didn’t take into account anybody deserving of it.
Meanwhile, Para-athlete Sumit Antil, who gained a gold medal in javelin throw in Tokyo, stated he would apply for the Arjuna Award in future regardless of being chosen for the upper honours.
“Though I had applied for the Arjuna Award, I am happy that the committee found me suitable for this award (Khel Ratna). I am honored to receive this award. But in future I will also apply for Arjuna Award, because since childhood I dreamed of becoming an Arjuna Awardee. And if people think it is for money, I declare that I will donate the prize money of Arjuna Award, if I win, I will donate,” Entil stated in a press release.
In addition, athletics coaches Radhakrishna Nair and TP Ousef in addition to hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan are amongst these shortlisted for the Dronacharya Award. The Khel Ratna awardees get Rs 25 lakh and a quotation, whereas the Arjuna Award carries a prize cash of Rs 15 lakh and a quotation every.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
