The Sports Ministry has announced that four outstanding athletes—Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar—will receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17, 2025. Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist, and Gukesh, the youngest chess world champion, are joined by hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar. The announcement follows public outcry over Bhaker’s initial omission from nominations, which she attributed to a possible lapse in her application process.
Celebrating India’s Sporting Stars
The Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour in India, recognising exceptional achievements across various sports. Manu Bhaker, at just 22 years old, made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning two bronze medals in shooting events. D Gukesh, only 18, captured global attention as the youngest chess world champion and played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal victory at the Chess Olympiad.
Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian men’s hockey team to a bronze medal at the same Olympics, while Praveen Kumar triumphed as T64 high-jump champion at the Paralympics. The award ceremony will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where these athletes will be honoured by the President of India.
Comprehensive List of Awardees
In addition to the Khel Ratna Award recipients, the Sports Ministry has announced a list of athletes receiving various accolades this year:
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024:
| Sl No | Name of the Sportsperson | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shri Gukesh D | Chess |
| 2 | Shri Harmanpreet Singh | Hockey |
| 3 | Shri Praveen Kumar | Para-Athletics |
| 4 | Ms. Manu Bhaker | Shooting |
Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2024:
| Sl No | Name of the Sportsperson | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ms. Jyothi Yarraji | Athletics |
| 2 | Ms. Annu Rani | Athletics |
| 3 | Ms. Nitu | Boxing |
| 4 | Ms. Saweety | Boxing |
| 5 | Ms. Vantika Agrawal | Chess |
| 6 | Ms. Salima Tete | Hockey |
| 7 | Shri Abhishek | Hockey |
| 8 | Shri Sanjay | Hockey |
| 9 | Shri Jarmanpreet Singh | Hockey |
| 10 | Shri Sukhjeet Singh | Hockey |
| 11 | Shri Rakesh Kumar | Para-Archery |
| 12 | Ms. Preeti Pal | Para-Athletics |
| 13 | Ms. Jeevanji Deepthi | Para-Athletics |
| 14 | Shri Ajeet Singh | Para-Athletics |
| 15 | Shri Sachin Sarjerao Khilari | Para-Athletics |
| 16 | Shri Dharambir | Para-Athletics |
| 17 | Shri Pranav Soorma | Para-Athletics |
| 18 | Shri H Hokato Sema | Para-Athletics |
| 19 | Ms. Simran | Para-Athletics |
| 20 | Shri Navdeep | Para-Athletics |
| 21 | Shri Nitesh Kumar | Para-Badminton |
| 22 | Ms. Thulasimathi Murugesan | Para-Badminton |
| 23 | Ms. Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan | Para-Badminton |
| 24 | Ms. Manisha Ramadass | Para-Badminton |
| 25 | Shri Kapil Parmar | Para-Judo |
| 26 | Ms. Mona Agarwal | Para-Shooting |
| 27 | Ms. Rubina Francis | Para-Shooting |
| 28 | Shri Swapnil Suresh Kusale | Shooting |
| 29 | Shri Sarabjot Singh | Shooting |
| 30 | Shri Abhay Singh | Squash |
| 31 | Shri Sajan Prakash | Swimming |
| 32 | Shri Aman | Wrestling |
Arjuna Awards (Lifetime) For Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2024:
| Sl No | Name of the Sportsperson | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shri Sucha Singh | Athletics |
| 2 | Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar | Para-Swimming |
Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games 2024:
Regular Category:
| Sl No | Name of the Coach | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shri Subhash Rana | Para-Shooting |
| 2 | Ms. Deepali Deshpande | Shooting |
| 3 | Shri Sandeep Sangwan | Hockey |
Lifetime Category:
| Sl No | Name of the Coach | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shri S Muralidharan | Badminton |
| 2 | Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco | Football |
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar:
| Sl No | Name of Entity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Education Foundation of India |
| 2 | Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco |
Controversy Surrounding Nominations
The announcement of awardees was not without controversy; reports surfaced that Manu Bhaker’s name was missing from the initial nominations list, leading to outrage from her family and coach. In response to this uproar, Bhaker acknowledged a potential oversight in her nomination process but urged fans not to speculate on the matter. She stated, “As an athlete, my role is to play and perform for my country… Awards and recognition keep me motivated but are not my goal.” This incident highlights the challenges athletes face regarding recognition and underscores their commitment to excellence beyond accolades.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Recognising athletes like Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh is essential not only for celebrating their individual achievements but also for inspiring future generations of sports enthusiasts in India. Their stories reflect resilience and dedication amidst challenges, reminding us of the importance of support for all athletes.
As we celebrate these champions, how can we further promote inclusivity and recognition in sports across various disciplines? We invite our readers to share their thoughts and engage in this vital conversation.
