The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to send in the names of R Ashwin and Mithali Raj for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award while KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shikhar Dhawan’s names will be proposed for the Arjuna Award.
Khel Ratna Award 2021
Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments confirmed the names. “We had a detailed discussion and it was decided to send in the names of R Ashwin and women’s Test and ODI skipper Mithali Raj name for the Khel Ratna. We are recommending Dhawan again for the Arjuna while we will also suggest the names of Rahul and Bumrah,” the source said.
The Union Sports Ministry had earlier decided to extend the last date of submission of application for the National Sports Awards 2021.
Besides, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended footballer Sunil Chhetri and the Odisha government nominated ace sprinter Dutee Chand for the Khel Ratna Award. Apart from Dutee, the Odisha government also sent five other recommendations to the sports ministry.
The National Sports Awards is the collective name given to the six sports awards of the Republic of India. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. They are presented by the President of India in the same ceremony at the Presidential Palace, usually on 29 August.
Manika Batra, Rohit Sharma, Vinesh Phogat, Rani Rampal, and Mariyappan Phangavelu were awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award last year and it was the first time that five athletes received the honor in the same year.
What is Arjuna Award?
Arjuna Award was instituted in the year 1961. It is given to sportspersons for “consistent outstanding performance” over the period of the last four years.
The award comprises “a bronze statuette of Arjuna, certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh (US$21,000).
What is Khel Ratna Award
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was instituted in the year 1991–1992. It is given to sportspersons for “most outstanding performance by a sportsperson” over the period of the last four years.
The award comprises “a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh (US$35,000)”.
