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.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.