New Delhi: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports today announced the recipients of the prestigious National Sports Awards 2024, with Gukesh D., the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, leading the honorees for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Joining Gukesh are three other celebrated athletes: Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team; Manu Bhaker, shooter and Olympic medalist; and Praveen Kumar, a medalist at the Paris Para-Olympics. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award recognizes the most outstanding performances by sportspersons over the previous four years. “These athletes have displayed unparalleled excellence in their respective disciplines, bringing glory to the nation,” stated the Ministry.
In addition to the Khel Ratna, 32 athletes have been chosen for the Arjuna Award for their exceptional contributions to sports in 2024. Two sportspersons will receive the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) for their career-long achievements.
Five coaches will be honored with the Dronacharya Award for their exemplary mentorship, while the Physical Education Foundation of India will be recognized with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for its efforts in promoting sports.
Furthermore, Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University (Punjab), and Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) will share the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024 for their contributions to fostering a sporting culture and excellence in education.
This year’s National Sports Awards highlight the relentless dedication and extraordinary talent of India’s athletes, coaches, and institutions, reflecting the nation’s growing prominence in the global sports arena.
