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 years immediately preceding the year during
which award is to be given; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding
performance for four years preceding the year of award; 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.
A large number of
nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by
the select panels of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators;
Selection Committees were headed by eminent sportspersons and consisted of
former Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees,
Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and
sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
and Arjuna Awards was headed by Shri Kapil Dev. Selection Committee for
Dronacharya Awards was headed by Shri Ajitpal Singh. Selection Committee for
Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Shri Ajit Mohan Saran , Secretary (Sports). Selection
Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Ajit Mohan
Sharan, Secretary (Sports).
Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny,
the Government has approved to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/
coaches/organizations:
(i) Arjuna Awards 2014
|
S. No.
|
NAME OF THE
SPORTSPERSON
|
DISCIPLINE
|
|
1
|
Mr. Abhishek Verma
|
Archery
|
|
2
|
Ms. Tintu
Luka
|
Athletics
|
|
3
|
Mr. H.N. Girisha
|
Para-Athletics
|
|
4
|
Mr. V. Diju
|
Badminton
|
|
5
|
Ms. Geetu Anna Jose
|
Basketball
|
|
6
|
Mr. Jai Bhagwan
|
Boxing
|
|
7
|
Mr. R. Ashwin
|
Cricket
|
|
8
|
Mr. Anirban Lahiri
|
Golf
|
|
9
|
Ms. Mamta Pujari
|
Kabaddi
|
|
10
|
Mr. Saji Thomas
|
Rowing
|
|
11
|
Ms. Heena Sidhu
|
Shooting
|
|
12
|
Ms. Anaka Alankamony
|
Squash
|
|
13
|
Mr. Tom Joseph
|
Volleyball
|
|
14
|
Ms. Renu Bala Chanu
|
Weightlifting
|
|
15
|
Mr. Sunil Kumar Rana
|
Wrestling
|
(ii)
Dronacharya Awards 2014
|
Sl. No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Shri Mahabir
Prasad
|
Wrestling
|
|
2.
|
Shri N.
Lingappa
|
Athletics –
Lifetime
|
|
3.
|
Shri G.
Manoharan
|
Boxing –
Lifetime
|
|
4.
|
Shri Gurcharan
Singh Gogi
|
Judo –
Lifetime
|
|
5.
|
Shri Jose
Jacob
|
Rowing –
Lifetime
|
(iii) Dhyan
Chand Awards 2014
|
Sl. No.
|
Name
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Shri Gurmail Singh
|
Hockey
|
|
2.
|
Shri K.P. Thakkar
|
Swimming (Diving)
|
|
3.
|
Shri Zeeshan Ali
|
Tennis
|
(iv) Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
2014
|
Sl. No.
|
Category
|
Entity
recommended for Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2014
|
|
1.
|
Employment of
sports persons and sports welfare measures
|
Oil and
Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
|
|
2.
|
Community
Sports - identification and nurturing of budding /young talent
|
Jindal Steel
Works (JSW)
|
|
3.
|
Establishment
and Management of sports academies of excellence
|
Guru Hanuman
Akhara, Delhi
|
|
4.
|
Other forms of
sports activities not covered in the four categories mentioned in the schemes
|
Child Link
Foundation of India (Magic Bus)
|
For Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2014, no sportsperson has been
recommended.
The awardees will receive their awards from the
President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan
on August 29, 2014.
Arjuna,
Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and
cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
will be given Trophies.
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