Sindhu, Dipa, Sakshi to get Rajiv Khel Ratna; Bishweshwar Nandi to get Dronacharya
[caption id="attachment_20928" align="alignnone" width="580"] PV Sindhu, Dipa Karmakar, Sakshi Malik to get Rajiv Khel Ratna. File Pic[/caption] 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 2016S. 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 |
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) |
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) |
S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
1 | Ms. Satti Geetha | Athletics |
2 | Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung | Hockey |
3 | Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke | Rowing |
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.
03 Comments
Karla Gleichauf
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment
M Shyamalan
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment
Liz Montano
12 May 2017 at 05:28 pm
On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment