“Games and Sports” is an important topic of Current affairs. In this article we provide a brief note on recently announced “Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2021 winner list”. This year Khel Ratna award has been given to a total of 12 people.
The Winner list of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2021
| Sl. No | Awardees | Sport Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neeraj Chopra | Javelin |
| 2 | Ravi Kumar | Wresting |
| 3 | Lovlina Borgohain | Boxing |
| 4 | PR Sreejesh | Hockey |
| 5 | Avani Lekhara | Para Shooting |
| 6 | Sumit Antil | Para Athletics |
| 7 | Pramod Bhagat | Para Badminton |
| 8 | Krishna Nagar | Para Badminton |
| 9 | Manish Narwal | Para Shooting |
| 10 | Mithali Raj | Cricket |
| 11 | Sunil Chhetri | Football |
| 12 | Manpreet Singh | Hockey |
Khel Ratna award is given in the field of
• The Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of the previous four years.
Venue of this award ceremony
• According to the sports ministry “The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
- The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
- From August 6, 2021 the award is named after an Indian field hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand (1905–79).
- It is the highest sporting honour of India. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- It was held online last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Khel Ratna Award is presented by the President of India.
- A total of 57 recipients have received the award by 2021.
Prize Money
- As of 2020, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
Selection process for Khel Ratna Award
- The recipient(s) of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is/are selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry and is honoured for their “spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years” at international level.
Winner Facts
- A total of 12 players has been awarded this year.
- The first recipient of the award was Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand.
- Viswanathan Anand was honoured for the performance in the year 1991–92.
- The youngest recipient of the award is shooter Abhinav Bindra. (18 year age)
- The Khel Ratna Award First awarded in 1991–92.
About Dhyan Chand
- Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905.
- Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player.
- Major Dhyan Chand known as The Wizard or The Magician of hockey for his superb ball control.
- He scored 570 goals in 185 matches internationally, and scored over 1000 goals in his entire domestic and international career.
- He earned three Olympic gold medals, in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
- The Government of India awarded Chand India’s third highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 1956.
- His birthday, 29 August, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India every year. • India’s highest sporting honour Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is named after him.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award started, in which year?
Answer: 1992
2. When was Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?
Answer: 6th August 2021
3. Who was the Major Dhyan Chand?
Answer: Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player
4. Who is the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
Answer: Indian chess grandmaster and a former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
5. Who is the only Sportsperson to have won the award for two sports disciplines?
Answer: Pankaj Advani (Billiards and Snooker)
6. Who is the Youngest recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
Answer: Abhinav Bindra (18 Years in 2001)
7. What is the prize money of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?
Answer: 25 lakh
8. As of 2021, Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award is given in how many sports categories?
Answer:15
