The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced Khel Ratna awards for Olympic double medalist Manu Bhaker, chess world champion Gukesh D, hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar.
These players will be given this award by President Draupadi Murmu in a grand ceremony organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17 January. The statement issued by the Sports Ministry said that based on the recommendations of the committee and after proper investigation, the government has decided to provide awards to the following players, coaches, universities and institutions.
Indian chess grandmaster Vantika Agarwal and athlete Jyoti Yaraji have also been honored with the Arjuna Award.
Para athletes Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Dipti, Ajit Singh, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Dharambir, Pranav Surma, Hokato Sema, Simran and Navdeep will also receive the Arjuna Award. Olympic medalists Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh and Para-Olympic shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis have also been honored with the Arjuna Award.