Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards

The National Sports Awards-2013 will be conferred upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations. The Government approved their names, as recommended by the Selection Committees. A.            Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Sl. No. Name Discipline 1. Mr. Ronjon Sodhi Shooting B.            Arjuna Awards: Sl. No. Name Discipline 1. Ms. Chekrovolu Swuro Archery 2. Mr. Ranjith Maheshwari Athletics 3. Ms. P.V. Sindhu Badminton 4. Ms. Kavita Chahal Boxing 5. Mr. Rupesh Shah Billiards & Snooker 6. Mr. Virat Kohli Cricket 7. Mr. Abhijeet Gupta Chess 8. Mr. Gagan Jeet Bhullar Golf 9. Ms. Saba Anjum Hockey 10. Ms. Rajkumari Rathore Shooting 11. Ms. Joshna Chinnappa Squash 12. Ms. Mouma Das Table Tennis 13. Ms. Neha Rathi Wrestling 14. Mr. Dharmender Dalal Wrestling 15. Mr. Amit Kumar Saroha Athletics (Para) C.            Dronacharya Awards for 2013: Sl.No. Name Discipline 1. Ms. Poornima Mahato Archery 2. Mr. Mahavir Singh Boxing 3. Mr. Narinder Singh Saini Hockey 4. Mr. K.P. Thomas Athletics* 5. Mr. Raj Singh Wrestling* * Lifetime contribution in coaching D.            Dhyan Chand Awards : Sl.No. Name Discipline 1. Ms. Mary D’souza Sequeira Athletics 2. Mr. Syed  Ali Hockey 3. Mr. Anil Mann Wrestling 4. Mr. Girraj Singh Para Sports (Athletics) E.            Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar Sl. No. Category Entity recommended forRashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, 2013 1. Community Sports Identification and Nurturing of Budding Young Talent Dr. U.K. Mishra, Founder and President, National Sports Academy, Allahabad 2. Financial Support for Sports Excellence Services Sports Control Board 3. Establishment and Management of Sports Academies of Excellence Pullela Gopichand Academy of Badminton, Hyderabad 4. Employment of Sportspersons and sports welfare measures. Petroleum Sports Promotion Board The nominations received for various categories of awards were considered by the select panels of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators of impeccable integrity. The Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Shri Michael Ferreira and other members of the Committee from the sports fraternity were Shri Limba Ram, ShriV. Devarajan, Shri Zafar Iqbal, Ms. Vandana Rao, Ms. Anjali M. Bhagwat, Ms. Indu Puri, Shri ShaktiSingh, Shri Ravi Shastri, Shri Kripa Shankar Patel and Shri Surinder Khanna..Similarly, the Committees for other awards too comprised of men and women of eminence in the field of sports. The different Committees made their recommendations after duly considering all the nominations. National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. This not being an Olympic year, the Government has decided not to increase the number of awards so that the stature of the awards is maintained. While doing so, the Government is conscious that there were other individuals of outstanding sporting achievements who have a claim on these awards. The Government has looked into the various news reports and grievances of different sportspersons.  It has also consulted the Chairpersons of the Committees.  A separate enquiry has also been conducted by Secretary, Sports.  After due consideration, the Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Committees.  The Government wishes them all the best and hopes that they too will be part of the pantheon of winners in the coming years. Apart from a medal and a citation, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh.  Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each.  Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 31, 2013.