NEW DELHI, Jan 2: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the recipients of the National Sports Awards 2024, recognizing outstanding athletes for their exceptional achievements in their respective fields. Among the prestigious awardees are four athletes who will be conferred with the Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.
Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medalist, made history as the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She claimed a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event and, alongside Sarabjot Singh, won another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This marked India’s first-ever shooting team medal at the Olympics.
Gukesh Dommaraju, a standout performer in Indian sports, also joined the ranks of Khel Ratna awardees. In December 2024, Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren in the decisive 14th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore, becoming the youngest world chess champion at 18. His victory, with a final score of 7.5-6.5, made him the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve this remarkable feat.
Para-athlete Praveen Kumar was also honored with the Khel Ratna Award after winning gold in the Men’s High Jump T64 event at the 2024 Paralympics. Harmanpreet Singh, who led the Indian men’s hockey team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, rounded out the list of Khel Ratna awardees. Harmanpreet had previously been part of the bronze-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics and was also nominated for the FIH Player of the Year award.
The Arjuna Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to sports, was awarded to several athletes, including Indian men’s hockey players Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh, as well as women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete. Chess grandmaster Vantika Agrawal and sprinter Jyothi Yarraji were also honored with the prestigious award. A host of para-athletes, including Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Deepthi, Ajeet Singh, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Dharambir, Pranav Soorma, Hokato Sema, Simran, and Navdeep, were celebrated for their accomplishments. Additionally, Olympic medalists Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, along with para-shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis, received the Arjuna Award.
The Dronacharya Award for lifetime achievement was bestowed upon Armando Agnelo Colaco, the former head coach of Dempo FC and East Bengal, for his contributions to Indian football.
The awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu in a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025.
