National Sports Awards – 2014

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which award is to be given; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years preceding the year of award; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar  is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.             A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the select  panels of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators; Selection Committees were headed by eminent sportspersons  and consisted of former  Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Shri Kapil Dev.  Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards was headed by Shri Ajitpal Singh. Selection Committee for Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Shri Ajit Mohan Saran , Secretary (Sports).   Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Ajit Mohan Sharan, Secretary (Sports).                                                                  Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has approved to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations:             (i) Arjuna Awards 2014 S. No. NAME OF THE SPORTSPERSON DISCIPLINE 1 Mr. Abhishek Verma Archery 2 Ms. Tintu Luka Athletics 3 Mr. H.N. Girisha Para-Athletics 4 Mr. V. Diju Badminton 5 Ms. Geetu Anna Jose Basketball 6 Mr. Jai Bhagwan Boxing 7 Mr. R. Ashwin Cricket 8 Mr. Anirban Lahiri Golf 9 Ms. Mamta Pujari Kabaddi 10 Mr. Saji Thomas Rowing 11 Ms. Heena Sidhu Shooting 12 Ms. Anaka Alankamony Squash 13 Mr. Tom Joseph Volleyball 14 Ms. Renu Bala Chanu Weightlifting 15 Mr. Sunil Kumar Rana Wrestling (ii) Dronacharya Awards 2014 Sl. No. Name Discipline 1. Shri Mahabir Prasad Wrestling 2. Shri N. Lingappa Athletics – Lifetime 3. Shri G. Manoharan Boxing – Lifetime 4. Shri Gurcharan Singh Gogi Judo – Lifetime 5. Shri Jose Jacob Rowing – Lifetime (iii)  Dhyan Chand Awards 2014 Sl. No. Name Discipline 1. Shri Gurmail Singh Hockey 2. Shri K.P. Thakkar Swimming (Diving) 3. Shri Zeeshan Ali Tennis  (iv) Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2014 Sl. No. Category Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2014 1. Employment of sports persons and sports welfare measures Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited  (ONGC) 2. Community Sports - identification and nurturing of budding /young talent Jindal Steel Works (JSW) 3. Establishment and Management of sports academies of excellence Guru Hanuman Akhara, Delhi 4. Other forms of sports activities not covered in the four categories mentioned in the schemes Child Link Foundation of India (Magic Bus) For Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2014, no sportsperson has been recommended. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2014.               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.