The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) has revealed the recipients of the 2024 National Sports Awards with D Gukesh, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh and Praveen Kumar getting the highest honour. Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion in Singapore in December. Bhaker had won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. Harmanpreet had led India to a bronze medal in men's hockey at the same Games. Praveen had won gold in men's high jump T64 discipline at the Paris Paralympics.
The awards ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025, at 11:00 am. The President of India will present the awards.
Following a thorough review process and based on committee recommendations, the government has selected the following sportspersons, coaches, university, and entity for recognition.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2024
iii.Arjuna Awards (Lifetime) for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2024
iv.Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2024
A.Regular Category:
B.Lifetime Category:
v.Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
(vi) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024:
The National Sports Awards are an annual celebration of sporting excellence in India. ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award recognises exceptional sporting achievements over the past four years.
‘Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
The Arjuna Award acknowledges outstanding performance in sports and games demonstrated over the preceding four years. It also considers leadership qualities, sportsmanship, and discipline.
Arjuna Award (Lifetime) is given to honour and motivate those sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sporting career.
The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) honours sportspersons who have made significant contributions throughout their careers and continue to promote sports even after retirement.
‘Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.
The Dronacharya Award recognises coaches who have consistently demonstrated outstanding work and enabled athletes to achieve success in international competitions.
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is awarded to the highest-performing university in the Khelo India University Games.
Applications for the awards were accepted online through a dedicated portal, allowing sportspersons, coaches, and entities to self-nominate.
A significant number of applications were received and reviewed by a selection committee.
The committee was led by Justice (Retd.) V. Ramasubramanian of the Supreme Court of India. The committee also included distinguished sportspersons, sports journalists, and sports administrators.
