Internet Desk: A day after the Olympic Games came to an end in Rio de Janerio, the government on Monday conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2016 to Olympic medallists P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik; ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who lost a medal by a whisker, and shooter Jitu Rai. This is for the first time the nation’s highest sporting award has been conferred on four athletes.
Dipa Karmakar’s coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, has been selected for the Dronacharya Award, alongwith Nagapuri Ramesh (athletics), Sagar Mal Dhayal (boxing), Raj Kumar Sharma (cricket), S. Pradeep Kumar (swimming) and Mahabir Singh (wrestling).
Fifteen sportspersons will be honoured with the Arjuna Award and three with the Dhyan Chand Award. Apart from a medal and a citation, a Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh. The Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each, said a press release from the Sports Ministry.
The Selection Committee for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and the Arjuna Award was headed by Justice S.K. Agarwal, retired Delhi High Court Judge. The Selection Committee for the Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Award was headed by M.C. Mary Kom. The awards will be distributed by President Pranab Mukherjee on August 29.
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2016
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1. | Ms. P.V. Sindhu | Badminton |
| 2. | Ms. Dipa Karmakar | Gymnastics |
| 3. | Shri Jitu Rai | Shooting |
| 4. | Ms. Sakshi Malik | Wrestling |
(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2016
| S.No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1 | Shri Nagapuri Ramesh | Athletics |
| 2 | Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal | Boxing |
| 3. | Shri Raj Kumar Sharma | Cricket |
| 4. | Shri Bishweshwar Nandi | Gymnastics |
| 5. | Shri S. Pradeep Kumar | Swimming (Lifetime) |
| 6. | Shri Mahabir Singh | Wrestling (Lifetime) |
(iii) Arjuna Awards 2016
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1. | Shri Rajat Chauhan | Archery |
| 2. | Ms. Lalita Babar | Athletics |
| 3. | Shri Sourav Kothari | Billiards & Snooker |
| 4. | Shri Shiva Thapa | Boxing |
| 5. | Shri Ajinkya Rahane | Cricket |
| 6. | Shri Subrata Paul | Football |
| 7. | Ms. Rani | Hockey |
| 8. | Shri Raghunath V.R. | Hockey |
| 9. | Shri Gurpreet Singh | Shooting |
| 10. | Ms. Apurvi Chandela | Shooting |
| 11. | Shri Soumyajit Ghosh | Table Tennis |
| 12. | Ms. Vinesh | Wrestling |
| 13. | Shri Amit Kumar | Wrestling |
| 14. | Shri Sandeep Singh Mann | Para-Athletics |
| 15. | Shri Virender Singh | Wrestling (Deaf) |
(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2015
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1 | Ms. Satti Geetha | Athletics |
| 2 | Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung | Hockey |
| 3 | Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke | Rowing |
Dipa Karmakar, who will be getting the Rajiv Khel Ratna said, “I was claiming this award for my sir for a long time. But at last I he is getting I am happy. Regarding my award I would say that Gymnast is not a talked about sports in India. But my position in Rio has made people eager to know on this sports.”
Dipa Karmakar’s coach, Bishweshwar Nandi said, “This is a huge privilege for me. Its a bit late but not over. The track and field on which I train Dipa, its exclusive i.e. Produnova Vault. But in the last few months, the way we got the exposure it feels great. I am very happy.”
Sakshi Malik’s mother on his daughter’s selection for the award said, “An encouraging and great step. I truly welcome this from my heart. I would like to thank the Government of India for selecting my daughter.”
Coach of Virat Kohli, Raj Kumar Sharma who will be awarded with the prestigious Dronacharya Award on Aug 29 said, “I am very happy and honoured to receive the award from the President of India. I would like to say that I feel privileged to coach a player of Virat Kohli’s stature. Coaching is my job and I will keep doing so. But I have never seen a player like Virat. Still Virat stays in touch with me. This is the nature of Virat.”
Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, Paul said that the Award will “motivate” him to do better.
“The Arjuna Award is one of the highest Awards for sportspersons in our Country. Over the years the best in their respective fields have been conferred with the Award. A sportsperson never plays to get any Award. But when your achievements get recognized, it is an added motivation to do better,” he stated.
“I need to thank all my Coaches, my Teammates, AIFF, the Football fraternity and my family who stood by me and supported me over all these years,” he added.
All India Football Federation President Mr. Praful Patel congratulated Paul on his achievement. “Subrata has been exceptional with his Football all these years. He has been a flag bearer for long. Congratulations,” he said in his message.
General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das mentioned that Subrata has been an “inspiration for so many youngsters.” “Subrata has been a top performer for India over the years. He is an icon and an inspiration to so many youngsters. He deserves it. Congratulations,” Mr. Das stated.
National Coach Stephen Constantine couldn’t hide his delight over the phone. “No one deserves the Arjuna Award more than Subrata. He has done so much for Indian Football both on and off the field. I am very happy for him. Congratulations,” he told www.the-aiff.com.