Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards Announced

The Government has announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards for the year 2012.

            A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by Selection Committee consisting of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators; headed by Col Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore. Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has approved to confer awards upon the following sportspersons. 
           
A.        Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - 2012:

1.
Shri Vijay Kumar
Shooting
2.
Shri Yogeshwar Dutt
Wrestling

B.        Arjuna Awards 2012:

Sl. No.
Name
Discipline
1.
Ms. Deepika Kumari
Archery
2.
Ms. Laishram Bombayla Devi
Archery
      3.
Ms. Sudha Singh
Athletics
4
Ms. Kavita Ramdas Raut
Athletics
5
Ms. Ashwani Ponnappa
Badminton
6
Mr. Parupalli Kashyap
Badminton
7
Mr. Aditya S. Mehta
Billiards & Snooker
8
Mr. Vikas Krishan
Boxing
9
Mr. Yuvraj Singh
Cricket
10
Mr. Sardar Singh
Hockey
11
Mr. Yashpal Solanki
Judo
12
Mr. Anup Kumar
Kabaddi
13
Mr. Samir Suhag
Polo
14
Ms. Annu Raj Singh
Shooting
15
Mr. Omkar Singh
Shooting
16
Mr. Joydeep Karmakar
Shooting
17
Ms. Deepika Pallikal
Squash
18
Mr. Sandeep Sejwal
Swimming
19
Ms. Ng. Sonia Chanu
Weightlifting
20
Mr. Narsingh Yadav
Wrestling
21
Mr. Rajinder Kumar
Wrestling
22
Ms. Geeta Phogat
Wrestling
23
Mr. M. Bimoljit Singh
Wushu
24
Mrs. Deepa Mallick
Athletics – Paralympics
25
Mr. Ramkaran Singh
Athletics – Paralympics

Normally  only one award of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna  is given every year to an individual sportsperson. However, the Scheme provides that this condition can be relaxed in exceptional circumstances viz., winning of an Olympic medal. Like wise for the Arjuna Awards, normally not more than 15 awards are to be given in any calendar year.  However, the Scheme of Arjuna Awards also provides that keeping in view the performance of Indian sportspersons in the Commonwealth, Asian Games and Olympic Games during a particular year, Arjuna Awards exceeding 15 in number may be allowed with proper justification and approval of the Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports.  The Selection Committee noted that 2012 is the Olympic year and India has won 6 medals in the London Olympics, which is country’s best performance in Olympic Games, and recommended that the condition of one award in case of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and 15 awards in case of Arjuna Awards may be relaxed and the number of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award may be increased from 1 (one) to 2 (two) and Arjun Awards may be increased from 15 (fifteen) to 25 (twenty five). 

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for spectacular performance in the year under consideration; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for three consecutive years preceding the year of award.    
           
Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh each and Arjuna Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each.