President Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Sports Awards to eminent sportspersons on the occasion of National Sports Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday. Boxer Jai Bhagwan, shuttler V. Diju and shooter Heena Sidhu are among 14 sports persons who received the Arjuna Award – 2014 for their outstanding performance in the field of sports.No sportsperson was selected for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year.91 year old Athletics coach N. Lingappa, Judo coach Guruchraran Singh Gogi and Wrestling coach Mahabir Prasad are among the five coaches who were given the prestigious Dronacharrya Award.Former Hockey player Gurmail Singh, former Tennis player Zeeshan Ali and diver KP Thakkar were honoured with Dhyan Chand Awards for lifetime contribution to sports development in the country. Four organizations were conferred with Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for sports promotion and development. They are Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Jindal Steel Works, Guru Hanuman Akhara, Delhi and Child Link Foundation of India.Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of 5 lakh rupees each, whereas recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar were given Trophies.Mr. Mukherjee also conferred the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards for the year 2013 on four persons for their outstanding achievement in the field of adventure activities. Subedar Jagat Singh and Passang Tenzing Sherpa are among those received the awards. The award carries a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash prize of five lakh rupees. Besides, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the year 2013-14 was presented to Punjabi University, Patiala for its all round performance. The winner receives a replica of the Trophy and a cash award of 10 lakh rupees which is to be utilized for development of games and sports.
News On AIR | August 30, 2014 7:58 AM
President confers National Sports Awards to eminent sportspersons