In this post, we are going to discuss the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award from 1991 – now.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The highest sporting honour in India is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. It bears Major Dhyan Chand’s name, a renowned Indian hockey player. The honour is granted to excellent athletes who have achieved international success in their particular sports. The prize was first presented in 1991–1992, and since then it has grown to be one of India’s most esteemed honours.
Who was Major Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player who competed during the British Raj. The 29th of August 1905 saw his birth in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. An iconic person in the history of hockey is Major Dhyan Chand. He participated in India’s three Olympic gold medal-winning hockey teams in 1928, 1932, and 1936. He represented India as a hockey player from 1926 to 1949. Dubbed “The Wizard of Hockey” for his incredible stickwork and finesse in front of the net.
A Brief characteristic of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
In order to honour the remarkable accomplishments of Indian athletes, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was established in 1991–1992. Outstanding athletes in many sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as other sports, are recognised with this award each year. In addition to a plaque and citation, the honour comes with a monetary prize of Rs. 25 lahks.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India superintend the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The award is granted based on the suggestions of a committee made up of renowned athletes and officials from the sports world.
With the purpose of honouring India’s top athletes, the Khel Ratna Award was established in 1991–1992. Outstanding athletes in a variety of sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as other sports, are recognised with this award each year. A 25 lakh rupee cash prize, a citation, and a plaque come with the honour.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is managed by the Government of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The award is granted based on the suggestions of a selection committee made up of renowned sports figures and officials.
Selection Criteria of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The Khel Ratna Award is given to a sports player who has outstripped in their sport for four years in a row. Also, the player had to have displayed leadership and sportsmanship. The distinction is bestowed on individuals who have achieved greatness in sports, particularly at illustrious international competitions like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Significance of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has a lot of significance. First and foremost, it acknowledges the contribution of notable athletes to the growth of sports in India. Young and aspiring athletes are encouraged by the prize to pursue success in their particular sports. Also, it encourages more people to pursue sports as a career and aids in fostering a sports culture in the nation.
Because it emphasises the significance of sports in an individual’s complete growth, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is also noteworthy. The benefits of sports to a person’s mental and emotional health are in addition to their benefits to their physical growth. Life values like leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship are all taught through participation in sports.
Challenges Faced:
There are a number of issues that need to be resolved, even if the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award represents a premier step towards reassuring sports in India. The absence of infrastructure and sporting facilities in the nation is one of the main problems. Since they lack access to the right training facilities and tools, many gifted athletes are unable to realise their full potential.
List of the major recipients of this prestigious award.
Vishwanathan Anand: Grandmaster in chess and a former World Chess Champion is Vishwanathan Anand. In recognition of his services to the game of chess, he was awarded the Khel Ratna in 1991–1992.
Geet Sethi: Popularly recognised as one of the finest players in the sport’s history, Geet Sethi is a former professional pool player from India. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest athletic distinction, was also given to him in 1992.
Homi Motivala: Homi Motivala was a Yachting player who represented India. In 1993–1994 he was also given the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, which is India’s highest athletic accolade.
Pushpendra Kumar Garg: India’s representative in the sport of yachting was Pushpendra Kumar Garg. Also, he received India’s highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna Award, in 1993-1994.
Karnam Malleswari: Karnam Malleswari, a retired weightlifter, made Olympic history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in the women’s 69 kg division in 2000 in Sydney. Her accomplishments in weightlifting earned her the Khel Ratna award in 1995.
Nameirakpam Kunjarani: Nameirakpam Kunjarani is a former weightlifter who is largely recognised as one of the greatest weightlifters in Indian sports history. In 1996, she also received India’s highest sporting distinction, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Leander Paes: Leander Paes is a tennis player who has won multiple Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles. In 1996–1997, he received the Khel Ratna for his contributions to tennis.
Sachin Tendulkar: The “Master Blaster,” Sachin Tendulkar, requires no introduction. One of the best cricket players to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. He received the Khel Ratna in 1997–1998 for his great cricketing efforts.
Jyotirmoyee Sikdar: Jyotirmoyee Sikdar is a former middle-distance runner from India who competed in track and field events. She received India’s highest athletic prize, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, for her accomplishments in 1998–1999.
Dhanraj Pillay: Dhanraj Pillay is a retired hockey player who spent many years with India’s men’s hockey team and helped the group win a number of competitions. The Khel Ratna was given to him in 2000 in recognition of his achievements in hockey.
Pullela Gopichand: Known as one of the key figures in the advancement of Indian badminton, Pullela Gopichand is a former badminton player from India and a current coach. In 2000–2001, he received Khel Ratna Award for his achievements in hockey.
K. M. Beenamol: Former Indian track and field athlete K. M. Beenamol specialised in middle-distance running. Beenamol received Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest athletic accolade, in 2002 as a reward for her accomplishments.
Anjali Bhagwat: Anjali Bhagwat is a former Indian shooter who is recognised as one of the best rifle shooters in the country’s sporting history. Bhagwat received India’s highest athletic distinction, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, in 2002 as a reward for her accomplishments.
Anju Bobby George: Anju Bobby George is a former long jump specialist who is of Indian descent. George received India’s highest athletic distinction, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, in 2003 as a reward for her accomplishments.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is a former Indian shooter who is currently a politician. Rathore received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting accolade, in 2004 as a reward for his accomplishments.
Pankaj Advani: Pankaj Advani is a professional pool player who has won multiple international championships. In 2005–2006, he received the Khel Ratna for his achievements in the pool.
Indian shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu: Manavjit Singh Sandhu excels in trap shooting. India’s highest athletic distinction, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, was given to Sandhu in 2006 in appreciation for his accomplishments.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: MS Dhoni, also known as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is the current captain of the Indian national cricket team. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting distinction, was given to Dhoni in 2007 as a reward for his accomplishments.
Mary Kom: Mary Kom is a boxer who has won many international championships. For her achievements in boxing, she received the Khel Ratna in 2009–2010.
Vijender Singh: Vijender Singh has won multiple international championships. For his achievements in boxing, he received the Khel Ratna in 2008–09.
Sushil Kumar: One of the most accomplished athletes in Indian wrestling history is Sushil Kumar, the Indian wrestler. In 2009, Kumar received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, in celebration of his accomplishments.
Saina Nehwal: Badminton player Saina Nehwal has won multiple international championships. In 2009–10, she received the Khel Ratna for her achievements in badminton.
Gagan Narang: One of the most accomplished athletes in Indian shooting history is Gagan Narang, an Indian shooter. 2011 saw Narang receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting accolade, in appreciation for his accomplishments.
Vijay Kumar: One of the best athletes in Indian shooting history is the shooter Vijay Kumar from India. In honour of his accomplishments, Kumar received the Khel Ratna Award in 2012—India’s highest sporting honour.
Yogeshwar Dutt: Yogeshwar Dutt, a former wrestler from India, is thought to be one of the sport’s top contenders. In 2012, Dutt received Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest athletic honour, as a reward for his accomplishments.
Ronjan Sodhi: Ronjan Sodhi is a former shooter from India who is recognised as one of the top competitors in Indian shooting history. In acknowledgement of his accomplishments, Sodhi received the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, in 2012.
Sania Mirza: Sania Mirza is a double and mixed doubles tennis player who has won multiple Grand Slam championships. In 2015–16, she received the Khel Ratna for her achievements in tennis.
PV Sindhu: PV Sindhu is an accomplished international badminton player. In 2016–17, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for her services to badminton.
Dipa Karmakar: Dipa Karmakar is a gymnast who placed third in the women’s vault competition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and earned a bronze medal. For her achievements in gymnastics in 2016, she received the Khel Ratna award.
Jitu Rai: Jitu Rai is a shooter who has won numerous medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games. For his services to shooting in 2016, he received the Khel Ratna.
Sakshi Malik: At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik, a wrestler, took home the bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 58 kg division. For her accomplishments in wrestling in 2016, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Devendra Jhajharia: Devendra Jhajharia is a para-athlete who competes in the javelin throw event and has won numerous medals in the Paralympic Games. At the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and in 2004’s Athens, he took home the gold medal in the men’s F46 javelin throw competition. He received the Khel Ratna in 2017 in recognition of his para-athletic accomplishments.
Sardara Singh: The most accomplished sportsperson in Indian hockey history is Sardara Singh, a former field hockey player from India. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest athletic accolade, was given to Singh in 2017 in appreciation for his accomplishments.
Mirabai Chanu: The speaker is Mirabai Chanu. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mirabai Chanu, a weightlifter, took home the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg division. Her accomplishments in weightlifting earned her the Khel Ratna Award in 2018–19.
Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli is a cricketer who has amassed numerous centuries in international play and has guided India to success in a number of competitions. In 2018 for his contributions to cricket, he received the Khel Ratna.
Deepa Malik: A para-athlete who has excelled in the javelin and shot put competitions at the Paralympic Games. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, she took home the silver medal in the women’s F53 shot put competition. For her accomplishments in para-athletics in 2019, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Bajrang Punia: Bajrang Punia is a wrestler who has excelled internationally, winning numerous medals. For his achievements in wrestling in 2019–20, he received the Khel Ratna.
Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma is an international cricketer who has amassed numerous centuries and has guided India to victory in a number of competitions. In 2021–22, he received the Khel Ratna for his contributions to cricket.
Mariyappan Thangavelu: At the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Mariyappan Thangavelu won the gold medal in the men’s high jump T42 category. He received the Khel Ratna in 2021–2022 in recognition of his para-athletic accomplishments.
Manika Batra: Manika Batra plays table tennis and has won numerous medals at international competitions like the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. For her exploits in table tennis, she received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
Vinesh Phogat: Vinesh Phogat is a wrestler who has won numerous medals in competitions throughout the world, including the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. In the women’s freestyle 48 kg division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she took home the bronze medal. For her accomplishments in wrestling, she received the Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
Rani Rampal: Rani Rampal is an Indian women’s hockey player who has won numerous games for her side. For her contributions, she received the Khel Ratna in 2020–21.
Neeraj Chopra: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra received the gold medal withinside the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. For his accomplishments in athletics in 2018–19, he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Ravi Kumar Dahiya: Indian freestyle wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya has had great success in a short amount of time. Dahiya received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest athletic accolade, in 2021 as a reward for his accomplishments.
Lovlina Borgohain: Boxer Lovlina Borgohain earned the bronze medal in the women’s welterweight division at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She received the Khel Ratna in 2021–2022 in recognition of her boxing accomplishments.
P. R. Sreejesh: One of the top goalkeepers in the world is considered to be Indian field hockey player P. R. Sreejesh. Sreejesh received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting accolade, in 2021 as a reward for his accomplishments.
Avani Lekhara: In the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, para-shooter Avani Lekhara earned the gold medal and a new world record in the process. In 2022, she received the Khel Ratna for her contributions to para-shooting.
Sumit Antil: At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, para-athlete Sumit Antil won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F64 event, breaking the previous world record in the process. In 2022, he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in recognition of his para-athletic accomplishments.
Pramod Bhagat: Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat has won numerous medals in competitions throughout the world, including the Paralympics and the World Championships. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he won the gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 competition. In 2022, he received the Khel Ratna Award for his contributions to para-badminton.
Krishna Nagar: Krishna Nagar, an Indian para-badminton competitor, takes part in both the singles and doubles competitions. In 2021, Nagar received the Arjuna Award, one of India’s top sporting distinctions, in appreciation for his accomplishments.
Manish Narwal: Indian para-shooter Manish Narwal competes in the P4 mixed 50-meter pistol SH1 event. Narwal received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, which is India’s highest athletic distinction, in acknowledgement of his accomplishments.
Mithali Raj: Cricketer Mithali Raj served as the Indian women’s cricket team’s captain for a time. For her contributions to cricket, she received the Khel Ratna in 2021–2022.
Sunil Chhetri: Sunil Chhetri is the Indian national team’s all-time best scorer in terms of goals scored. He has played for the Indian national team of football for many years. In 2019 for his achievements in football, he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Manpreet Singh: Manpreet Singh is an Indian hockey player who has led his side to success in a number of competitions. In 2021–2022, for his achievements in hockey, he received the Khel Ratna Award.
Sharath Kamal: Sharath Kamal, an Indian table tennis player, has competed for his country in a number of international competitions. Many major honours, including the Khel Ratna in 2022, have been given to Kamal in honour of his accomplishments.
Conclusion:
These sportsmen have represented the country honourably by excelling in their sports. These athletes are recognised with India’s highest sporting honour, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, for their contributions to promoting Indian sports internationally. By working hard, dedicating themselves, and being passionate about what they do, millions of young people have been inspired to play sports and fulfil their dreams. The Indian sporting community will always be impressed by these athletes’ accomplishments, and they will serve as role models for future generations.
