PCI-Current Affairs

Government announces National Sports Awards 2017

The government released the National Sports Awards list, including Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award and Dhyan Chand Award, to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

For her superlative performances, Indian women’s cricket team star Harmanpreet Kaur will be honoured with the Arjuna Award, this year. The key player has won hearts with her outstanding performance in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in England and earlier. This fact was revealed after the government released the National Sports Awards list, including Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award and Dhyan Chand Award, to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

A total of 29 players have been selected to receive the honors from President Ram Nath Kovind at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2017.

List of 29 players:

1: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2017:

Shri Devendra- Para Athlete
Shri Sardar Singh- Hockey

2: Dronacharya Awards 2017:

Late Dr R Gandhi- Athletics
Heera Nand Kataria- Kabaddi
GSSV Prasad- Badminton (Lifetime)
Brij Bhushan Mohanty- Boxing (Lifetime)
PA Raphel- Hockey (Lifetime)
Sanjoy Chakraverthy- Shooting (Lifetime)
Roshan Lal- Wrestling (Lifetime)

3: Arjuna Awards 2017:

VJ Surekha- Archery
Khushbir Kaur- Athletics
Arokia Rajiv- Athletics
Prasanthi Singh- Basketball
LaishramDebendro Singh- Boxing
CheteshwarPujara- Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur- Cricket
OinamBembem Devi- Football
SSP Chawrasia- Golf
SV Sunil- Hockey
Jasvir Singh- Kabaddi
PN Prakash- Shooting
A Amalraj- Table Tennis
SakethMyneni- Tennis
SatyawartKadian- Wrestling
Mariyappan- Para-Athlete
Varun Singh Bhati- Para-Athlete

4: Dhyan Chand Award 2017:

Bhupender Singh- Athletics
Syed Shahid Hakim- Football
Sumarai Tete- Hockey

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award includes a medal and a citation along with a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh, while Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards include statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, each.