The Ministry of Sports announced Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards 2024. Shooter Manu Bhaker and chess prodigy D. Gukesh will be honoured. Men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medal winner Praveen Kumar are among the four recipients of the prestigious Award. The award recognizes exceptional achievements in sports and is one of India’s highest honors for athletes. They will be awarded in Rashtrapati Bhavan later this month.
Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
Manu Bhaker, at 22, made history as independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition Olympic Games. She secured bronze in both the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events at Paris Olympics. She with her extraordinary talent showcased extraordinary her capability in shooting. Her remarkable achievement helped redefine the future of Indian shooting in the global arena.
D. Gukesh (Chess)
He has also made India proud by creating history. At a very young age of 18 years, he became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. His exceptional brilliance and strategic methodology has earned him numerous accolades. In addition to this remarkable achievement, he also helped the Indian chess team secure a historic gold medal at the Chess Olympiad last year. Gukesh is a child prodigy. AT the age of 12, when he earned the title of grandmaster, he became the third-youngest grandmaster in chess history. His exceptional performances continue to inspire chess aspirants.
Harmanpreet Singh(Hockey)
Singh is India’s drag-flick specialist and hockey captain, led the Indian team to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. A prominent figure in Indian hockey, he has previously secured medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s leading players. Born in Punjab, he made his debut for the Indian national team in 2015.
Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics)
Kumar won gold in the High Jump T 64 event at the Paris Paralympics. His set a new Asian record with his winning jump of 2.08m. He is the youngest para-athlete to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. His journey began with a passion for sports and his perseverance is something to be inspired from. Despite facing physical challenges due to his disability, he is striding ahead to make his mark in this field.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The Khel Ratna Award, officially called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, is indeed the highest sporting honor in India. This award is given to honor the legendary Indian hockey player and commemorate his significant contributions to Indian sports. Winners of the award will receive a prestigious medallion, a certificate, alongwith a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. The awardees will receive their awards in a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this month on 17th by the President of India.
Positive Takeaway
The Khel Ratna Award serves as a significant form of encouragement for athletes in India. As the highest sporting honor in the country, it recognizes the hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance of athletes across various sport. This actsas a significant source of inspiration for athletes to continue striving for success at the highest levels and also encourages young talents to take up sports as a career.
