Indian athletes including boxer Saweety Boora and hockey players were awarded the prestigious Arjuna Awards by President Droupadi Murmu during the National Sports Awards ceremony. Chess grandmaster Vantika Agrawal and athlete Jyothi Yarraji were also conferred with the Arjuna Award for their remarkable performances at the Chess Olympiad and Paris Olympics respectively. Boora dedicated her award to her family and supporters, while Vantika was part of the first-ever Indian women's team to win gold at the Chess Olympiad. Despite not qualifying for the semifinals at the Olympics, Jyothi's achievement was recognized through this honor.
Instituted in 1961, the Arjuna Awards are one of India's most prestigious accolades for sporting excellence. The awards are presented annually to outstanding sportspersons who have excelled in their respective fields.
Recent Arjuna Award Recipients
At the 2023 National Sports Awards ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Arjuna Awards on:
Background and Significance
The Arjuna Award is named after Arjuna, a legendary archer in Hindu mythology known for his exceptional skills and dedication. The award recognizes athletes who have demonstrated outstanding performance and sportsmanship. The recipients are selected by a committee of eminent sportspersons, administrators, and other experts.
The Arjuna Award is a symbol of national recognition and appreciation for the hard work and achievements of India's sportspersons. It has played a significant role in inspiring and motivating future generations of athletes.
Past Notable Arjuna Awardees
Over the years, numerous legendary sportspersons have received the Arjuna Award, including:
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is eligible for the Arjuna Award?
Indian citizens who have represented the country in international competitions and have achieved excellence in their respective sports are eligible for the award.
2. What are the criteria for selection?
The selection committee considers factors such as international performance, consistency, sportsmanship, and fair play.
3. How many Arjuna Awards are given each year?
The number of awards varies depending on the year, but typically ranges from 15 to 25.
4. What is the prize money for the Arjuna Award?
The current prize money for the Arjuna Award is Rs. 15 lakh (approximately $18,000).
5. What is the impact of the Arjuna Award?
The Arjuna Award brings national recognition, prestige, and inspiration to the recipients. It also serves as a motivation for aspiring athletes and helps promote sports in India.
In a Betway SA20 match at Kingsmead in Durban, Durban's Super Giants faced off against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Despite a great performance from Noor Ahmad, who claimed a superb 4/25, Sunrisers still managed to amass a challenging 165 for five thanks to the contributions of Zak Crawley and David Bedingham. However, Noor's bowling proved to be a major threat as he took wickets in crucial moments, ultimately leading to Durban's Super Giants' loss.
Ahead of India's squad announcement for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, ODI captain Rohit Sharma has been honing his skills through rigorous training sessions. Despite a poor performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Sharma remains a top pick for the team and has been seen practicing with his Mumbai Indians teammates, including captain Hardik Pandya. India's batting machinery will rely on Sharma's white-ball touch and remarkable track record in the upcoming tournament.
Pakistan's struggles in the first test match against West Indies were compounded by a rain delay and poor lighting. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan lost four wickets in just 13.3 overs and were struggling at 46 for 4. However, Saudi Shakil (56) and Mohammad Rizwan (51) managed to steady the innings and take the team to 143 for 4 when play was stopped due to bad light. West Indies' bowler Jaden Seales was the most successful in the first day, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in 10 overs.
Pakistan and West Indies face off in the first Test of the two-match series in Multan, with Pakistan currently holding a strong position in the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship. Despite a recent defeat in South Africa, Pakistan aims to continue their winning streak at home after a successful series against England. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is determined to put up a strong fight and end their previous record of finishing in eighth place in the WTC.
Recent claims on social media have circulated images of cricket player Ishan Kishan alongside IPL team owner Kavya Maran and cricketer Smriti Mandhana in front of Hyderabad's iconic Charminar. However, after thorough research, these claims have been proven false as the images were generated using AI. Further investigation through AI-detection websites showed that the images had 99% AI-generated content. This is a reminder to not believe everything seen on social media without verification.
Despite her father's initial denial, it has been revealed that the family of India cricketer Rinku Singh has sent a marriage proposal to Lok Sabha MP Priya Saroj. Priya's father has confirmed that discussions have taken place with the cricketer's family and they are seriously considering the proposal. While neither Rinku nor Priya have officially confirmed the development, Rinku is set to return to action in the upcoming T20I series against England. Priya, the 26-year-old first-time MP, comes from a family of politicians and had initially aspired to become a judge.
In a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Draupadi Murmu bestowed the Arjuna Award upon para-archer Rakesh Kumar from Jammu and Kashmir. Kumar, who hails from Reasi district, is the third para-archer to receive this prestigious award, and his exceptional performance in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo made him a top contender. He represented India at the Paralympics and has a world ranking of No. 1 in compound archery. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have both congratulated Kumar on his achievement.
Rumours of a possible engagement between cricketer Rinku Singh and politician Priya Saroj have been circulating on social media, but her father has dismissed them as false. Priya is a prominent figure in politics, having become one of India's youngest MPs at the age of 25. Meanwhile, Rinku has also been making a name for himself in the sports world, playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Indian national team.
After a disappointing performance in WPL 2024, Gujarat Giants has made key changes to their squad and are ready to kick off their WPL 2025 season. With the acquisition of Simran Shaikh for a record-breaking INR 1.9 crores, the team is determined to make a strong comeback. The revamped squad will play their first three league games at home in Vadodara before moving to Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Their first match will be against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, February 14 at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
During a news conference, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic expressed his admiration for American player Danielle Collins after she stood up to hecklers at the Australian Open. The 10th seed in the women's singles draw, Collins received backlash from the crowd for beating a local player, but Djokovic applauded her response to the situation, stating that he would not have been as polite.