Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand Awards announced

The Government of Indian on Tuesday announced the names for four of the most coveted awards to sports persons: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards for the year 2007 and Dhyan Chand Awards for the year 2008. The awards will be given by Her Excellency, the President of India on August 29, 2008.

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The names announced are based on the recommendations of the selection committees constituted under the chairmanship of Milkha Singh for selection of the deserving candidates for Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand Awards, while the selection committee for Dronacharya Awards (2007) met under the chairmanship of Jyotirmoy Sikdar. The Committee unanimously decided to select the following outstanding players and coaches for the awards:

Khel Ratna Award 2007
Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Cricket

Arjuna Awards 2007
Chitra K. Soman - Athletics
Anup Sridhar - Badminton
Johnson Varghese - Boxing
Harika Dronavalli - Chess
Arjun Atwal - Golf
Probhjot Singh - Hockey
Tombi Devi - Judo
Bajranglal Takhar - Rowing
Avneet Kaur Sidhu - Shooting
Alka Tomar - Wrestling
Farman Basha - Power Lifting (Disabled category)

Dhyan Chand Awards 2008
Hakam Singh - Athletics
Mukhbain Singh - Hockey
Gian Singh - Wrestling

Dronacharya Awards 2007
Sanjeeva Kumar Singh - Archery
Jagdish Singh - Boxing
G.E. Sridharan - Volley Ball
Jagminder Singh - Wrestling

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the highest sports honour given by the Government of India for the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson in a year and comprises a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh, a scroll of honour and a medal.

Introduced in 1961, the Arjuna Awards are given to sportspersons with outstanding achievements. The selection committee counts his/her performance from the previous three years and also the quality of leadership and sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. It comprises a cash award of Rs. 3 lakh, a scroll of honour and a statute of Arjuna.

Named after one of India’s greatest ever player who was a part of gold winning Indian hockey team in three consecutive Olympic Games held in 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin, the Dhyan Chand Awards are given for life time achievement in sports and games to honour those sportspersons who after their retirement from active sporting career continues their service in promotion of sports. It comprises a cash award of Rs. 3 lakh, a scroll of honour and a plaque.

Instituted in 1985, the Dronacharya Awards are given to honour the excellence of sports coaches for giving training to individual or team and enabling them in achieving great feat in the international sports arena. The award carries a citation- a bronze statute of Dronacharya and a cash of Rs. 3 lakh.