Khel Ratna Award Explained

Khel Ratna Award should not be confused with Dhyan Chand Award.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
Former Name:Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1992–2021)
Subheader:Highest sporting honour of the Republic of India
Awarded For:Sporting excellence
Sponsor:Government of India
Firstawarded:1991–92
Lastawarded:2023
Reward: and a medallion
Holder Label:Most recent winner
Holder:Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
Award1 Type:Total awarded
Award1 Winner:60
Award2 Type:First winner
Award2 Winner:Viswanathan Anand
Venue:Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Lower:Arjuna Award
Country:India
Eligibility:Indian sportsperson
Presenter:President of India
Status:In force
Established:1992
Host:Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Previous:Arjuna Award

The Khel Ratna Award (in Hindi pronounced as /kʰeːl rət̪nə/), officially known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (Major Dhyan Chand Sport Jewel Award) or formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, is the highest sporting honour of India.[1] It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

Recipients are selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry and honoured for their "spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years" at an international level., the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of .

Instituted in 1991–1992, the award was given for the performance by a sportsperson in a year. Based on the suggestions provided by 2014 award selection committee, the Ministry revised the criteria in February 2015 to consider the performance over a period of four years. The nominations for a given year are accepted till 30 April or last working day of April with not more than two sportspersons nominated for each sports discipline. A twelve-member committee evaluates the performances of a sportsperson at various International events which include the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. The committee later submits their recommendations to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for further approval. The award from 1991-2021 was named after Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991), the 6th Prime Minister of India.

The award since August 6, 2021 is named after Major Dhyan Chand (1905–79), an Indian field hockey player, widely regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time, who scored more than 1000 goals over a career that spanned over 20 years from 1926 to 1948.[2]

The first recipient of the award was chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who was honoured for the performance in the year 1991–92. In 2001, sport shooter Abhinav Bindra, then aged 18, became the youngest recipient of the award.[3]

Usually conferred upon only one sportsperson in a year, a few exceptions have been made (1993–1994, 2002, 2009, 2012, and 2016–2021) when multiple recipients were awarded in a year.

, there have been 59 recipients across sixteen sport disciplines: athletics, badminton, billiards, boxing, chess, cricket, field hockey, football, gymnastics, para-athletics, para-badminton, para-shooting, shooting, snooker, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, and yacht racing.

Nominations

The nominations for the award are received from all government recognised National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Promotion and Control Boards, and the state and the union territory governments with not more than two eligible sportspersons nominated for each sports discipline. In case of cricket, the nominations are received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and SAI is authorised to submit the nominations on behalf of all the de-recognised or under suspension National Sports Federations. The previous award recipients can also nominate one sportsperson for the discipline for which they themselves were awarded. The Government can nominate up to two sportspersons in deserving cases where no such nominations have been received from the nominating authorities. The nominations for a given year are accepted till 30 April or last working day of April.

Selection process

All the received nominations are sent to SAI and National Anti-Doping Agency for the verification against the claimed achievements and doping clearance respectively. Any sportsperson who is either penalised or being enquired for usage of drugs or substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency is not eligible for the award. A committee consisting of the Joint Secretary and the Director/Deputy Secretary of Department of Sports, the Secretary and the Executive Director/Director (TEAMS) of SAI verify and validate the nominations.

The valid nominations are placed before the selection committee constituted by the Government. This twelve member committee consists of a Chairperson nominated by the Ministry, four Olympians or previous recipients of Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award, three sports journalists/experts/commentators, one sportsperson/expert/administrator associated with parasports, one sports administrator, the Director General of SAI, and the Joint Secretary of Department of Sports, with not more than one sportsperson from a particular discipline included in the committee. When instituted in 1991–92, the award was given for the performance by a sportsperson in a year.[4] Based on the suggestions provided by 2014 award selection committee headed by Kapil Dev,[5] the Ministry revised the criteria in February 2015 to consider the performance over a period of four years.[6]

The medals won in various International championships and events of the disciplines which include Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games are given 80% weightage. The remaining 20% weightage is given to the profile and standard of the events. For any other games not included in Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games like cricket and indigenous games, the individuals performance of a sportsperson is taken into consideration. The sportsperson with maximum points is given 80 marks. Rest of the sportspersons are given marks in proportion to the maximum points. For team events, marks are given as per the strength of the team. Following are the points defined for medals at the given events:

Points for winning medals for the performance during the last four years
EventMedal
Olympic Games/Paralympic Games80 70 55
World Championship/World Cup40 30 20
Asian Games30 25 20
Commonwealth Games25 20 15

For a given discipline, not more than two sportspersons, one male and one female, are given highest marks. The committee may not recommend the award to the sportsperson with the highest marks across disciplines but can only recommend the recipient of the highest aggregate marks in a particular sports discipline. The recommendations of the selection committee are submitted to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for further approval.

List

Key
align=center style="width:30px;background-color:#CEE8F0"Indicates a joint award for the given year
Year! scope="col"
Recipient(s)Discipline(s)
1991–1992Chess[7]
1992–1993Billiards
1993–1994 #Yachting (Team event)[8]
Yachting (Team event)
1994–1995Weightlifting
1995–1996Weightlifting
1996–1997Tennis
1997–1998Cricket
1998–1999Athletics[9]
1999–2000Hockey[10]
2000–2001Badminton[11]
2001Shooting[12]
2002 #Athletics[13]
Shooting
2003Athletics[14]
2004Shooting[15]
2005Billiards and Snooker[16]
2006Shooting[17]
2007Cricket[18]
2008No award
2009 #Boxing[19]
Boxing
Freestyle wrestling
2010Badminton[20]
2011Shooting[21]
2012 #Shooting[22]
Freestyle wrestling
2013Shooting[23]
2014No award[24]
2015Tennis[25]
2016 #Badminton[26]
Gymnastics
Shooting
Freestyle wrestling
2017 #Paralympic javelin[27]
Hockey
2018 #Weightlifting[28]
Cricket
2019 #Paralympic (shot put, javelin, others)[29]
Freestyle wrestling
2020 #Cricket[30]
Paralympic high jump
Table tennis
Freestyle wrestling
Hockey
2021 #Athletics[31]
Freestyle wrestling
Boxing
Hockey
Paralympic shooting
Para-athletics
Para-badminton
Para-badminton
Paralympic shooting
Cricket
Football
Hockey
2022Table tennis[32]
2023 #Badminton[33]
Badminton

Controversies

The 2002 selection committee, headed by former football player Pradip Kumar Banerjee made twenty one recommendations for the Arjuna Award and two recommendations for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (then known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award), athlete K. M. Beenamol and shooter Anjali Bhagwat. The government rejected the recommendations and asked the committee to cut down the list to comply with the award guidelines, where only one sportsperson for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and fifteen sportspersons along with one disabled athlete for the Arjuna Awards could be recommended each year.[34] The committee revised the list to recommend Beenamol for the award over Bhagwat but also put a request "to consider everyone".[35] The decision spurred criticism for ignoring the achievements of the shooter and Bhagwat and the National Rifle Association of India expressed their "disappointment" with the decision.[36] Later, the government accepted all the recommendations "as an exception" and jointly awarded Beenamol and Bhagwat for the year 2002.[37]

In August 2013, the selection committee, headed by Michael Ferreira recommended sport shooter Ronjan Sodhi for the award, with some committee members questioning the process of selection.[38] A committee member noted that discus thrower Krishna Poonia and Paralympic athlete Girisha Nagarajegowda were shortlisted and Sodhi was not the initial choice. However, Girisha's name was removed, and the final voting was done between Sodhi and Poonia.[39] Poonia was accused of lobbying for the award by one of the committee member Anjali Bhagwat,[40] but the accused met the then Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh to promote her case and also rubbished the lobbying allegations.[41] [42] The Ministry conducted a separate enquiry by Secretary of Department of Sports and decided not to increase the number of awards "to maintain the stature of the awards".[41]

Following an announcement, in August 2015, that tennis player Sania Mirza was to be awarded, a Public-Interest Litigation was filed in the Karnataka High Court. The petitioner, who was again Girisha, mentioned that his performance was ignored by the committee.[43] Girisha claimed to be a top contender for the award with 90 points, owing to his silver medal winning act at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in the Men's High Jump F42 event.[44] The petition mentioned that the points for Mirza's Grand Slam titles from 2011 until 2015 should not be counted as the events were not a part of the list of sports events to be considered for the performance evaluation. The court withheld the conferment and sought replies from the Ministry about the selection process. The Ministry nevertheless presented the award to Mirza on 29 August 2015 amidst the case processing.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Sania Mirza conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. 29 August 2015. 2 May 2016. The Indian Express. New Delhi. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001183252/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/sania-mirza-conferred-with-rajiv-gandhi-khel-ratna-award/. 1 October 2015.
  2. News: 2004-02-26. Discover hockey's answer to Pele. en-GB. 2021-08-06. 1 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150901035958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/hockey/features/newsid_3490000/3490504.stm. live.
  3. Web site: 5 Interesting Facts About Abhinav Bindra. The Times of India. 23 September 2014. 15 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160621122935/http://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/abhinav-bindra-5-interesting-facts-about-indias-ace-shooter-175489.html. 21 June 2016.
  4. Criteria for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award and Dhyan chand Award. Press Information Bureau, India. 3 May 2016. 3 February 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602020854/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102969. 2 June 2016.
  5. National Sports Awards Schemes Revamped. Press Information Bureau, India. 3 May 2016. 23 February 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602020857/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=115679. 2 June 2016.
  6. Committee for National Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 3 May 2016. 21 April 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602020431/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=118438. 2 June 2016.
  7. Web site: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards. Sports Authority of India. 18 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160507034054/http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/tview3.asp?link_temp_id=553. 7 May 2016.
    • Web site: List of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners. 30 August 2005. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, India. 17 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20060704045548/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/rg_khelratna.htm. 4 July 2006.
  8. Web site: National Sports Awards. Yachting Association of India. 17 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160610104756/http://www.yai.org.in/national-sports-awards.html. 10 June 2016.
  9. Arjun Awards 1998 announced Ms. Jyotirmoyee Sikdar gets Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 1998–99. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426063937/http://pib.nic.in/archive/releases98/lyr99/l0899/r110899.html. 26 April 2016.
  10. Arjuna Awards to be presented tomorrow. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 30 August 2000. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090412155100/http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2000/raug2000/r28082000.html. 12 April 2009.
  11. President presents Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 September 2001. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180602/http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2001/rsep2001/29092001/r290920012.html. 3 March 2016.
  12. President presents Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 August 2002. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426053532/http://pib.nic.in/archive/releases98/lyr2002/raug2002/29082002/r290820027.html. 26 April 2016.
  13. Arjuna Awards, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dhyan Chand and Dronacharya Awards given away. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 August 2003. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426072256/http://pib.nic.in/archive/releases98/lyr2003/raug2003/29082003/r2908200311.html. 26 April 2016.
  14. President gives away Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 21 September 2004. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426042455/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=3940. 26 April 2016.
  15. President gives away Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 August 2005. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426061643/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=11669. 26 April 2016.
  16. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, 2005, Arjuna awards 2005, Dhyan Chand awards, 2006 and Dronacharya awards for the year 2005 Announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 23 August 2006. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426044314/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=20149. 26 April 2016.
  17. President gives away Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 August 2007. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426030832/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=30609. 26 April 2016.
  18. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna & Arjuna Awards announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 19 August 2008. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426050423/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=41434. 26 April 2016.
  19. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards and other Sports Awards Announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 29 July 2009. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426052730/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=51164. 26 April 2016.
  20. Sports Minister Gives away Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Saina Nehwal. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 8 November 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426035926/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=66811. 26 April 2016.
  21. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards and other Sports Awards Announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 18 August 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426044433/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=74755. 26 April 2016.
  22. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards Announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 19 August 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426043805/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=86351. 26 April 2016.
  23. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 22 August 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426043235/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=98548. 26 April 2016.
  24. National Sports Awards 2014. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 21 August 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426065733/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=108953. 26 April 2016.
  25. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2015 and Arjuna Awards 2015. Press Information Bureau, India. 17 April 2016. 14 August 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426052505/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=126073. 26 April 2016.
  26. National Sports Awards 2016. Press Information Bureau, India. 23 August 2016. 22 August 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160825074404/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=149084. 25 August 2016.
  27. National Sports Awards 2017. Press Information Bureau, India. 22 August 2017. 22 August 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170823205415/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170149. 23 August 2017.
  28. National Sports Awards 2018 announced; Mirabai Chanu and Virat Kohli to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Press Information Bureau, India. 20 September 2018. 20 September 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920195611/https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Press%20release%20for%20Sports%20Awards%202018.pdf. 20 September 2018.
  29. National Sports Awards - 2019 announced Bajrang Punia and Deepa Malik to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Press Information Bureau, India. 20 August 2019. 20 August 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822112815/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1582410. 22 August 2020.
  30. National Sports Awards 2020 announced – Rohit Sharma, Mariyappan T., Manik Batra, Ms Vinesh and Ms Rani bag the Khel Ratna. Press Information Bureau, India. 21 August 2020. 21 August 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822113113/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1647633. 22 August 2020.
  31. National Sports Awards 2021 announced. Press Information Bureau, India. 22 November 2022. 2 November 2021. 16 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116135805/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1769041. live.
  32. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announces National Sports Awards 2022. Press Information Bureau, India. 15 November 2022. 14 November 2022. 14 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221114165103/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1875896. live.
  33. Web site: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announces National Sports Awards 2023 . 2023-12-20 . pib.gov.in.
  34. Web site: Arjuna Awards panel to prune list. The Times of India. 7 August 2003. Press Trust of India. 14 May 2016. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160803124633/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Arjuna-Awards-panel-to-prune-list/articleshow/118763.cms. 3 August 2016.
  35. Web site: Beenamol to get Khel Ratna. Rediff.com. 9 August 2003. 15 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805012504/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/aug/09khel.htm. 5 August 2016.
  36. News: Beenamol to get Khel Ratna. 10 August 2003. 15 May 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180203083511/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/10/stories/2003081004591700.htm. The Hindu. 3 February 2018.
    • Web site: Anjali flays awards panel. The Tribune. 10 August 2003. 15 May 2016. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150127192526/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030811/sports.htm#2. 27 January 2015.
    • News: Sidelined, shooter Anjali Bhagwat slams Arjuna award selection. 10 August 2003. Press Trust of India. The Indian Express. 15 May 2016. Srivastava, Abhaya. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160806144311/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=23807. 6 August 2016.
    • Web site: Anjali slams Arjuna Awards committee. Rediff.com. 10 August 2003. 15 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805012507/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/aug/10anjali.htm. 5 August 2016.
  37. News: 33 sportspersons honoured: Controversy set aside as stars get their due from the President. 30 August 2003. 15 May 2016. The Telegraph. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160610152120/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030830/asp/sports/story_2315737.asp. 10 June 2016.
    • Web site: Anjali, Beenamol get Khel Ratna. Rediff.com. 22 August 2003. 15 May 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805012510/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/aug/22awards.htm. 5 August 2016.
  38. Ronjan Sodhi's Khel Ratna nomination irks Krishna Poonia. India Today. 14 August 2013. 15 May 2016. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604071422/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ronjan-sodhi-khel-ratna-irks-krishna-poonia-improper-selection-sports-panel-politics-ace-shooter/1/299466.html. 4 June 2016.
  39. News: Khel Ratna controversy: Krishna Poonia hits back at Anjali Bhagwat; says didn't lobby for award. NDTV. 21 August 2013. Press Trust of India. 14 May 2016. New Delhi. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605115318/http://sports.ndtv.com/athletics/news/212730-khel-ratna-controversy-krishna-poonia-hits-back-at-anjali-bhagwat-says-didnt-lobby-for-award. 2016-06-05.
  40. News: New twist in Khel Ratna controversy: Anjali Bhagwat claims Poonia lobbied with her. Mid-Day. Press Trust of India. 21 August 2013. 15 May 2016. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530150858/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/new-twist-in-khel-ratna-controversy--anjali-bhagwat-claims-poonia-lobbied-with-her/227965. 30 May 2016.
  41. Awards and the controversy thereafter. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020171849/http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss3636/stories/20130907507105900.htm. dead. 20 October 2021. Sportstar. 36. 36. 2013. 15 May 2016.
  42. Didn't lobby for award: Krishna Poonia on Khel Ratna controversy. India Today. 21 August 2013. 15 May 2016. New Delhi. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604065408/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/krishna-poonia-on-khel-ratna-controversy/1/300629.html. 4 June 2016.
  43. News: Karnataka HC stays Sania Mirza's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. 26 August 2015. 6 May 2016. Mumbai. Daily News and Analysis. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150829224802/http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-karnataka-hc-stays-sania-mirza-s-rajiv-gandhi-khel-ratna-award-2118745. 29 August 2015.
  44. News: Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda bags first Paralympic medal for India. NDTV. 4 September 2012. Press Trust of India. 14 May 2016. London. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605101648/http://sports.ndtv.com/athletics/news/196056-girisha-hosanagara-nagarajegowda-bags-first-paralympic-medal-for-india. 2016-06-05.

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