Major Sports Awards in India – Explanation
India gives special awards to honor athletes and coaches who do something extraordinary in sports. These awards are given by the Government of India, mainly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. They are usually presented every year by the President of India.
Here are the main ones:
1.Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
- Highest sports award in India
- Given to: Sportspersons with the most outstanding performance over the last 4 years
- Named after: Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary hockey player
- Reward: A medal, a certificate, and ₹25 lakh (2.5 million rupees)
Think of it as the “Best Sportsperson of the Year” award.
2. Arjuna Award
- Given to: Sportspersons for consistent good performance over the past 4 years
- Also for qualities like leadership, discipline, and sportsmanship
- Reward: A bronze statue of Arjuna (from Mahabharata), a certificate, and ₹15 lakh
This award is like saying: “You’ve done really well – we’re proud of you!”
3. Dronacharya Award
- Given to: Coaches who have trained athletes to win medals in national or international events
- Named after: Dronacharya, a master teacher from Mahabharata
- Reward: A statue of Dronacharya, certificate, and ₹15 lakh
4. Dhyan Chand Award
- Given to: Retired sportspersons for their lifetime contribution to sports
- Focuses on people who may not be competing now but helped build Indian sports
- Reward: A statue of Dhyan Chand, certificate, and ₹10 lakh
This is like a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in sports.
5. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy
- Given to: Best university in sports every year
- Encourages colleges and universities to support sports activities
- Based on the performance of students in national-level competitions
So this is more for institutions, not individuals.
Summary :
India has several national awards to recognize excellence in sports. The highest honor is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, given for the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson. The Arjuna Award honors athletes for consistent achievements over the years, while the Dronacharya Award is given to top coaches who have trained champions. The Dhyan Chand Award is a lifetime achievement award for retired athletes who made a lasting impact. For promoting sports in education, the MAKA Trophy is awarded to the best performing university. Together, these awards celebrate and encourage the spirit of sportsmanship in India.
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