The Indian Ministry of Sports has announced that Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, along with world chess champion D Gukesh, will be honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17, 2024. The Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honor, recognizing exceptional athletes for their contributions to the nation.
Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, along with two other outstanding athletes—Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar—will be conferred the Khel Ratna Award by President Droupadi Murmu at a special function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This award ceremony is set to take place on January 17, 2024, in recognition of these athletes' extraordinary achievements in their respective fields.
Manu Bhaker's nomination for the Khel Ratna Award had initially sparked controversy, with her name missing from the original list of nominees. This oversight was met with criticism from her father, coach, and supporters, especially following her achievements at the Paris Olympics. However, the Sports Ministry later clarified the situation, and Manu was included in the final list of awardees.
Manu Bhaker, in a statement, addressed the controversy by emphasizing that her focus remains on performing for the country. She expressed that any potential oversight regarding her nomination was being corrected and urged her supporters to focus on the bigger goal of representing India on the global stage.
Manu Bhaker: Manu made history at the Paris Olympics by winning bronze in both the 10m air pistol and the 10m mixed team events. She became the first athlete since India’s independence to secure multiple medals in a single Olympic edition.
D Gukesh: Gukesh, the youngest world champion in classical chess, made a mark in December 2023 by defeating Ding Liren of China. This remarkable achievement earned him a well-deserved spot among the Khel Ratna awardees.
Harmanpreet Singh: The captain of India’s men’s hockey team led the nation to a second consecutive Olympic bronze, showcasing leadership and determination throughout the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Praveen Kumar: Paralympian Praveen Kumar achieved glory at the Paris Olympics by winning a gold medal in the High Jump T 64 event. His achievement was a testament to his dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The full list of Khel Ratna awardees for 2024 includes:
Shri Gukesh D (Chess)
Shri Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey)
Shri Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics)
Ms. Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
Alongside the Khel Ratna Awards, 32 athletes will receive the Arjuna Award, and three coaches will be honored with the Dronacharya Award for their exceptional contributions to Indian sports. These awards aim to recognize excellence across various disciplines, from athletics to shooting and badminton.
The following athletes will receive the Arjuna Award in 2024:
Ms. Jyothi Yarraji (Athletics)
Ms. Annu Rani (Athletics)
Ms. Nitu (Boxing)
Ms. Vantika Agrawal (Chess)
Ms. Saweety (Boxing)
Shri Abhishek (Hockey)
Ms. Preeti Pal (Para-Athletics)
Shri Navdeep (Para-Athletics)
Shri Sachin Sarjerao Khilari (Para-Athletics)
The Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches will be presented to:
Shri Subhash Rana (Para-Shooting)
Ms. Deepali Deshpande (Shooting)
Shri Sandeep Sangwan (Hockey)
Some sports personalities will also receive the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement, including:
Shri Sucha Singh (Athletics)
Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar (Para-Swimming)
Conclusion
The Khel Ratna Award, along with the Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards, not only recognizes the outstanding athletes but also the coaches who have played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian sports. These prestigious honors serve as a beacon of inspiration for young athletes across the country, encouraging them to strive for excellence in their fields.