By SRTeam Sports are a big part of the culture right here in India, whether it is the crazy love for cricket, the sharp play of chess, or maybe the insane passion for hockey or any other game or sport. And if you’re someone who’s really passionate about one particular sport, and you want to play to the higher competitive level. In that case, you’ll certainly dream of getting a national sports award, right? Just so you know though, there are actually different types of national sports awards, at the moment, the highest award in sports in India is for sure the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
But usually, there is a bit of confusion among the general public regarding these sports awards, like why a specific award is given to a player or a coach, and what it really signifies. And it could very well be that you’re a bit confused yourself, and you want to know just a little more about these national sports awards in India. Well, that’s what we’re here for, and today, we’ll list all the major ones here. Alright, let’s get going now.
1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
If you’re wondering like what is THE highest award in sports in India, well, this is the one. You see, we won’t be wrong to say that winning this award as an athlete is like reaching the top of the world, the sports world, we mean. This award was set up in the year 1991-92 for those players who have performed excellently at the international level for four years.
The winners will get a medallion, certificate, and ₹25 lakh cash. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was previously named like that till the year 2021, and later that year it was renamed after Major Dhyan Chand. Just so you know though, famous sports like Viswanathan Anand, PV Sindhu, Mary Kom, and Neeraj Chopra have won it.
2. Arjuna Award
Arjuna Award is for persons who consistently perform well in their respective games, like hockey, football, cricket, chess, or whatever official sport that is played in India. Sure enough, this, one of the oldest awards in Indian sports, was first awarded in 1961. Just so you know though, the name Arjuna was taken from Mahabharata’s hero who was famous for his concentration and dedication.
What do winners get? An Arjun bronze sculpture, certificate, ceremonial dress, and ₹15 lakh are awarded for their dedication to the game and to inspiring others. This award has been given over the years to various legends like Sachin Tendulkar, PT Usha, Abhinav Bindra, etc. For anyone who’s received this award, it sure has been one of the best and proudest moments of their lives.
3. Dronacharya Award
You see, every great athlete has a great coach behind him, and sure, the Dronacharya Award is for these great coaches. Just so you know though, this award started in 1985 to honor coaches who help athletes win international medals.
If you don’t know it yet, well, the award is given in the name of Dronacharya, a teacher in Mahabharata Dronacharya’s bronze statuette, a certificate, and ₹15 lakh are awarded to winners. Who has got this so far? Well, coaches such as OM Nambiar, who trained the Olympic athlete PT Usha, and Pullela Gopichand, whose coaching created badminton stars like PV Sindhu, have won this award. This is the best way to tell someone, “Thank you for your guidance!”
4. Dhyan Chand Award
Basically, the Dhyan Chand Award is a recognition of lifetime contribution to sports, you know? Started back in 2002, it is named after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. And sure, the award is for an athlete who has done well in the sport during his/her career and has worked for the promotion of sports after retirement.
And sure, those who win get a statuette of Dhyan Chand, a ceremonial dress, a certificate, and ₹10 lakh. This award definitely means something, and that is to appreciate the efforts of players who have just given so much time and effort from their lives to win medals for the nation, make India proud on the global stage, and even help out the rising stars in the sport.
5. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy
This one is aimed at universities. Like, the MAKA Trophy has been awarded since 1956-57 to the best-performing university on the basis of points in the various sports activities organized by the association during the year. The name of this facility is after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was the first education minister of India.
And just so you know, Guru Nanak Dev University has won this trophy so many times; that it has produced a tradition of sorts! The prize money for the top three winners of the Show will be ₹15 lakh, ₹7.5 lakh and ₹4.5 lakh.
6. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
Alright, this next award is given to those who help enhance sports in India, you know? Like, the award started in 2009 and is given to any organization, corporation, or individual who promotes sport in any way.
All in all, this award is given to those who recognize and support sports by discovering young talents, providing employment to athletes, or extending support in the form of CSR. And if you’re wondering about it right now, well, the winners get a trophy and a citation, which is a nice pat on the back for doing their bit for Indian sports.
7. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
Sure, this is the award you should aim for if adventure sports are your thing! Like, this award is named after Tenzing Norgay, one of the first people to climb Mount Everest, were you aware of that? The award honors people in the field of adventure sports, such as mountaineering, paragliding, and deep-sea diving.
It has existed since 2004, and people are calling it the Arjuna Award of adventure sports. Even though it is not one of the six core National Sports Awards, it is still a huge honor.
Conclusion
There you have it. By far, these are the major national sports awards right here in India that are given not just to the players but to the coaches and trainers as well. As you just saw, each of these awards means something, and these are given to the players or coaches for their amazing work and excellence to represent India.