Chess champion Gukesh D, shooter Manu Bhaker, hockey star Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are set to receive the Khel Ratna Award 2024. Learn about the honorees, Arjuna Award winners, and India’s stellar year in sports.
New Delhi, Jan 2: The prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 will be conferred upon chess prodigy Gukesh D, Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic champion Praveen Kumar. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, as announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.Gukesh D, who recently made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after defeating China’s Ding Liren in Singapore, headlines this year’s honorees. Manu Bhaker’s stellar performance at the Paris Olympics earned her two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events, a first for an Indian shooter in a single edition. Harmanpreet Singh captained the Indian men’s hockey team to a second consecutive bronze medal at the Games, while Praveen Kumar clinched gold in the high jump T64 category at the Paralympics, further cementing India’s presence on the global stage.
Recognition for Other Sports Stars
In addition to the Khel Ratna recipients, 32 athletes were named for the Arjuna Awards 2024 for their outstanding performances. The list includes stars like Jyothi Yarraji (athletics), Annu Rani (javelin throw), Nitu (boxing), and Salima Tete (hockey). Prominent athletes from para-sports, such as Dharambir, Navdeep, and Manisha Ramadass, also made the list, highlighting the growing prominence of para-athletics in India.
Veteran cyclist Sucha Singh and former para-swimmer Murlikant Rajaram Petkar received the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing their enduring contributions to Indian sports.
Honoring Coaches and Institutions
The Dronacharya Award, which honors excellence in coaching, was awarded to Subhash Rana (para-shooting), Deepali Deshpande (shooting), and Sandeep Sangwan (hockey). Lifetime category recipients included badminton coach S Muralidharan and football mentor Armando Agnelo Colaco.
The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar was presented to the Physical Education Foundation of India for its commitment to grassroots sports development. Universities excelling at the Khelo India University Games were also recognized, with Chandigarh University taking the top spot, followed by Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, who were declared runners-up.
A Landmark Year for Indian Sports
The accolades reflect India’s outstanding achievements across multiple disciplines in 2024. From Gukesh’s dominance in chess to Manu Bhaker’s historic Olympic performance, the year has been a testament to the nation’s growing prowess in the international sporting arena. The awards not only celebrate the athletes’ individual successes but also highlight the collective efforts of institutions, coaches, and support systems that drive Indian sports forward.The ceremony on January 17 will undoubtedly be a moment of pride for the country, showcasing the relentless pursuit of excellence by its athletes and the growing depth of talent in Indian sports.
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