Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav has written to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, recommending Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu for the Arjuna Award. Despite having received higher honours like the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri, Chanu's childhood dream of the Arjuna Award remains unfulfilled, and Jadhav believes it would be a fitting recognition of her contributions to Indian sport.
The National Sports Awards in India have been delayed due to a re-evaluation process aimed at ensuring only deserving athletes receive the honour. The Sports Ministry is reassessing Arjuna Award recommendations to maintain the award's value and avoid controversies.
Seventeen Indian sportspersons, including World Cup winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, and shuttler Gayatri Gopichand, have been named for the prestigious Arjuna Award for 2025.
The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.
Indian badminton players Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly secured a landmark women's doubles bronze medal at the World Championships, marking India's first in the category since 2011. Despite a semifinal loss to the world No. 1 pair, their impressive performance has instilled new belief and earned them a place among India's elite badminton medallists.
The Asian Junior Classical Championship in Mumbai saw top seed Mayank Chakraborty win his opening match, while other leading contenders Vignesh Advaith Vemula and Akhilbay Imangali were held to draws. The girls' section witnessed several upsets, with lower-rated players securing draws or victories against higher-rated opponents. The tournament features a strong field of 85 players from nine federations, including International Masters and FIDE Masters.
The Asian Junior Classical Championship in Mumbai saw top seed Mayank Chakraborty win his opening match, while other leading contenders Vignesh Advaith Vemula and Akhilbay Imangali were held to draws. The girls' section witnessed several upsets, with lower-rated players securing draws or victories against higher-rated opponents. The tournament features a strong field of 85 players from nine federations, including International Masters and FIDE Masters.
India's women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's 6-1 victory over South Africa at the FIH Women's World Cup but emphasised the need for improved precision in passing and finishing. Despite topping their group, Marijne cautioned against complacency, highlighting the upcoming crucial match against England. He also praised forward Lalremsiami, who found added motivation from her Arjuna Award nomination.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.
Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have reached the quarterfinals of the World Championships, putting them one step closer to securing a medal.
Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, an Arjuna Award recipient, is set to make her debut in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 4 with defending champions Alpine Pipers. She will join a star-studded team including Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, and Vidit Gujrathi, expressing excitement for the rapid chess format and playing in front of a home crowd.
Ayush Shetty's impressive run at the World Championships ended in the pre-quarterfinals against Alwi Farhan, concluding India's men's singles challenge. Meanwhile, the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant win, continuing their strong comeback after Treesa's injury.
India's women's hockey team delivered a dominant performance, defeating South Africa 6-1 in their second Pool D match of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup. Six different players scored for India, with a prolific third quarter sealing the rout. This emphatic win significantly strengthens India's chances of advancing, placing them atop Pool D on goal difference ahead of their crucial final pool match against England.
Tejaswin Shankar, a two-time Commonwealth Games medalist, is targeting an Asian Games decathlon gold with a personal best, while building towards Olympic-level performances and longevity.
Subedar Hokato Sema lost his leg in a mine blast on the Line of Control. Today he is a champion para shot-putter and among the most decorated para soldier-athletes.
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is now setting her sights on an Asian Games medal, acknowledging the immense pressure that comes with high expectations after her successful Commonwealth Games campaign.
Manpreet Singh on Wednesday became India's most-capped hockey player with his 413th appearance for the country during the FIH Pro League match against Germany in Rotterdam.
The National Sports Awards have been delayed due to a re-evaluation process by the Sports Ministry to ensure only deserving athletes are honoured. The ministry aims to establish clearer criteria to avoid controversies and ensure deserving athletes are recognised without unnecessary hurdles.
The Maharashtra government has proposed a posthumous Padma Vibhushan award for wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first individual Olympic medalist, to the Bombay High Court.
Praveen Kumar, a para-athlete who overcame physical limitations to excel in high jump, will be awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian para sport. He is a Paralympic champion and Arjuna Award recipient.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, has died at the age of 79. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their condolences.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, died on Wednesday after battling age-related ailments. He was 79.
India's shooting legend Jaspal Rana was laid to rest in Varanasi with full state honours, two days after his passing due to cardiac complications. Tributes poured in from across the nation, including from his mentee Manu Bhaker and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian shooting as both an athlete and a coach.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, died after battling age-related ailments. He was 79.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, died on Wednesday after battling age-related ailments. He was 79.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, died on Wednesday after battling age-related ailments. He was 79.
Former India international Randhir Singh Sehrawat has been appointed as the head coach of Gujarat Giants ahead of the upcoming season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
Two young swimmers from Thane, Vanshika Girish Iyer and Swaraj Sneha Gaurav Phadnis, have successfully completed a 21-kilometre open water swim in the Arabian Sea, setting a new record for the route.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first Asian Games shooting gold medallist Randhir Singh was cremated in Haridwar. Singh died at his New Delhi residence after battling age-related ailments. He was 79.
India's star pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been declared as the recipient of the Arjuna Award, said that it is a dream come true for him to be the recipient of India's second-highest athletic honour.
The Bombay High Court has directed the Union government to decide by May 4 on posthumously conferring the Padma Vibhushan award to wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first individual Olympic medallist.
Randhir Singh, a prominent figure in Indian sports and the Olympic movement, has died at the age of 79. He was known for his contributions as an athlete, administrator, and advocate for Indian sports on the international stage.
Shami was there to receive the honours. He took 24 wickets in seven World Cup games last year.
Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta is struggling to receive his prize money from the Odisha Open, prompting him to seek intervention from the Sports Ministry after repeated assurances from organisers yielded no payment.
Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, frustrated by delays in receiving prize money for winning the Odisha Open, has been assured by the All India Chess Federation that the issue will be resolved and his dues cleared.
Gaurav Gill marked his return to rally action with a dominant performance at the 49th South India Rally, showcasing his skill and precision.
On November 30, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sports and Adventure Awards 2022 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Hockey star Hardik Singh lone recommendation for Khel Ratna; Divya, TJ & Mehuli for Arjuna
As per the Ministry sources, a special request was made by the BCCI to the sports ministry to include Shami's name as he didn't originally feature in the list of the country's second-highest sporting honour.
The duo did not receive the Arjuna Awards during the Award ceremony held last year on September 25 in Rashtrapati Bhawan, as they were out of the country taking part in international tournaments.
