India’s best-performing athletes were on Tuesday conferred with the national sports awards by President Droupadi Murmu in a regal ceremony where cricketer Mohammed Shami walked into rapturous applause at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu awarded India’s top athletes at a grand ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Cricketer Mohammed Shami received applause, and badminton duo Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy got the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna for their exceptional 2023 performance, including India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in badminton.
The awards ceremony, usually on August 29, was delayed due to the Hangzhou Asian Games. A joyful atmosphere filled Rashtrapati Bhawan as 26 athletes received the Arjuna Awards.
Chirag and Satwik, now world No.1, are eyeing an Olympic medal in Paris. Shami, recovering from an ankle injury, received honors for his outstanding World Cup performance.
Chess Grandmaster R. Vaishali and pistol shooter Esha Singh, currently in Jakarta for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, were also recognized. Notable Arjuna awardees include wrestler Antim Panghal, boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin, and para archer Sheetal Devi.
Dronacharya awardees include chess coach RB Ramesh, who mentored the talented Praggnanandhaa. The awards carry cash prizes, with the Khel Ratna being Rs 25 lakh and Arjuna/Dronacharya awards at Rs 15 lakh.
Key awardees for 2023:
- Khel Ratna: Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy (badminton).
- Arjuna: Mohammed Shami (cricket), R Vaishali (chess), and others.
- Dronacharya: RB Ramesh (chess) and others.
- Dhyan Chand Award: Manjusha Kanwar (badminton) and others.
- MAKA Trophy: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (overall winner).
