Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement discontinued
Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement from this year onwards will be replaced by Arjuna Award Lifetime in its place in a bid to "rationalise" the various sporting honours of the country.
Who was Dhyanchand?
Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player who was considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. Star of the Indian hockey team that dominated the sport in the years before World War II, the prolific Dhyan Chand played a key role in India's three consecutive gold hauls at the Olympic Games - in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
What was Dhyan Chand
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award, named after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand was awarded to sportsmen with remarkable achievements in their career.
Who used to be awarded Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement?
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award used to be awarded to, individuals in disciplines that are part of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, among others.
In 2023, the award was given to former shuttler Manjusha Kanwar, ex-hockey exponent Vineet Kumar and kabaddi player Kavitha Selvaraj.
What is Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy?
the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy will be given to the University for Overall Top Performance in Khelo India University Games
The
National Sports Awards are the pinnacle of sporting honours in the Republic of India. The awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports, highlight extraordinary performance at the national and international competitive events, encourage sportsmanship and promote nation-building by creating a sense of national pride and unity in a country as diverse as India. It promotes qualities like leadership, discipline, commitment, teamwork and a passion for health and fitness in the psyche of a nation with the world’s largest youth population. The awards are administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
Categories
The six categories of the National Sports Awards are:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award replaced by Arjuna Award Lifetime from 2024
- Arjuna Award,
- Dronacharya Award,
- Major Dhyan Chand Award,
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad rolling Trophy, also called the MAKA Trophy, and
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
*Since 2004, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award has also been given out along with the six National Sports Awards.