Dual Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, World Chess champion Gukesh Domraju, Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para athlete Praveen Kumar were honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by President of India Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
On Friday, the National Sports Awards 2025 was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President of India honored all the Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award recipients. President Draupadi Murmu presented the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2024 to world chess champion Gukesh D and Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker.
On being honored with the Khel Ratna Award, Indian shooter Manu Bhakar said, “It is an honor to receive the Khel Ratna. “This will inspire us to work harder in the future and win more medals for the country.”
Javelin para-thrower Navdeep Singh said, “I have received the Arjuna Award from the President. Feeling very happy. I’m liking it. I dedicate this award to my family, coaches and all those who supported me in this journey.”
#WATCH Delhi: On being honored with the Arjuna Award, Javelin para-thrower Navdeep Singh said, “I have received the Arjuna Award from the President. Feeling very happy. I’m liking it. I dedicate this award to my family, coaches and all those who have supported me in this journey… pic.twitter.com/W3faHBZxde
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) January 17, 2025
Harpreet Singh participated in the Tokyo Olympics, where India won the bronze medal in hockey. He has also been nominated for FIH Player of the Year. Under his leadership, the Indian team won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics.
Indian men’s hockey players Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh and women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete have been honored with the Arjuna Award in 2024 for their outstanding performance in sports and games. Indian chess grandmaster Vantika Agarwal and athlete Jyoti Yaraji have also received the Arjuna Award. Para athletes Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Deepti, Ajit Singh, Sachin Sarjerao Khiladi, Dharambir, Pranav Surma, Hokato Sema, Simran and Navdeep will also receive the Arjuna Award.
