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 year, Arjuna Award is given for consistency outstanding performance for
four years, Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at
prestigious International sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time
contribution to sports development.
A
large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which
were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former Olympian,
Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sport Journalists/
Experts/ Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice C.K. Thakkar
(Former Judge Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice of High Court of Himachal
and Bombay). Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards
was headed by Shri Pullela Gopichand.
Based
on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government
has decided to confer awards upon the following
sportspersons/coaches/organisations :
(i) Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna 2017
|
S. No.
|
Name of the Awardee
|
discipline
|
|
1.
|
Shri Devendra
|
Para Athlete
|
|
2.
|
Shri Sardar Singh
|
Hockey
|
(ii) Dronacharya
Awards 2017
|
S. No.
|
Name of the Awardee
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Late Dr. R. Gandhi
|
Athletics
|
|
2.
|
Mr. Heera Nand Kataria
|
Kabaddi
|
|
3.
|
Mr. G.S.S.V. Prasad
|
Badminton (Lifetime)
|
|
4.
|
Mr. Brij Bhushan Mohanty
|
Boxing (Lifetime)
|
|
5.
|
Mr. P.A. Raphel
|
Hockey (Lifetime)
|
|
6.
|
Mr. Sanjoy Chakraverthy
|
Shooting (Lifetime)
|
|
7.
|
Mr. Roshan Lal
|
Wrestling (Lifetime)
|
(iii) Arjuna
Awards 2017
|
S. No.
|
Name of the Awardees
|
Discipline
|
|
1.
|
Ms. V.J. Surekha
|
Archery
|
|
2.
|
Ms. Khushbir Kaur
|
Athletics
|
|
3.
|
Mr. Arokia Rajiv
|
Athletics
|
|
4.
|
Ms. Prasanthi Singh
|
Basketball
|
|
5.
|
Sub. LaishramDebendro Singh
|
Boxing
|
|
6.
|
Mr. CheteshwarPujara
|
Cricket
|
|
7.
|
Ms. Harmanpreet Kaur
|
Cricket
|
|
8.
|
Ms. OinamBembem Devi
|
Football
|
|
9.
|
Mr. S.S.P. Chawrasia
|
Golf
|
|
10.
|
Mr. S.V. Sunil
|
Hockey
|
|
11.
|
Mr. Jasvir Singh
|
Kabaddi
|
|
12.
|
Mr. P. N. Prakash
|
Shooting
|
|
13.
|
Mr. A. Amalraj
|
Table Tennis
|
|
14.
|
Mr. SakethMyneni
|
Tennis
|
|
15.
|
Mr. SatyawartKadian
|
Wrestling
|
|
16.
|
Mr. Mariyappan
|
Para-Athlete
|
|
17.
|
Mr. Varun Singh Bhati
|
Para-Athlete
|
(iv) Dhyan
Chand Award
|
S. No.
|
Name (S/Shri)
|
Discipline
|
|
1 .
|
Mr. Bhupender Singh
|
Athletics
|
|
2.
|
Mr. Syed Shahid Hakim
|
Football
|
|
3.
|
Ms. Sumarai Tete
|
Hockey
|
The
awardees will received their awards from the President of India at a specially
organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August
29, 2017.
Apart
from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a
cash prize of Rs. 7.5 lakh. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will
received statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each.
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