National Sports Awards 2024

Why in News?

• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced National Sports Awards 2024.
• National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
• The President will confer the awards to the awardees on January 17, 2025 at a special ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

• It is given for the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson in the field of sports during the last four years.
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024:
  • Mr. Gukesh D - Chess
  • Mr. Harmanpreet Singh - Hockey
  • Mr. Praveen Kumar - Para Athletics
  • Ms. Manu Bhaker - Shooting

About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

• It was instituted in 1991-1992. 
• Earlier it was called Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
• In the year 2021, it was renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
• Now a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh is given under this award.
• Along with this, they are also given a medal and a certificate.
• Earlier this amount was only Rs 7.5 lakh.
  • But the Modi government has increased it to Rs 25 lakh.

Arjun Award:

• Awarded for outstanding performance in sports over a period of four years and for displaying leadership, sportsmanship and spirit of discipline.

Arjun Award (Lifetime):

• It is given to honor and encourage those players who have contributed to sports with their performance and;
  • Continue to contribute to the promotion of sports even after retiring from active sports career.

Dronacharya Award:

• Awarded to outstanding coaches in sports who consistently perform excellent and commendable work and;
  • Enable players to excel in international competitions.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy:

• This trophy is given to the highest performing university in Khelo India University Games.

About National Sports Awards:

• These are given to the players of the country who perform outstandingly in the field of sports.
• These are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
• The most prestigious award among these awards is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Awards given under these-

• Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award
• Arjuna Award
• Arjuna Award (Lifetime Contribution)
• Dronacharya Award
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy

Selection Process:

• Applications for these awards were invited online.
• Players, coaches and institutions applied on their own through a dedicated portal.
• A committee headed by Supreme Court Justice (Retd.) V. Ramasubramanian evaluated the applications and selected the winners.
• This committee included- famous players, sports journalists and administrators.