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NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2012 - RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA

AWARD AND ARJUNA AWARDS FOR 2012

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence

in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for spectacular performance in the

year under consideration; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding

performance for three consecutive years preceding the year of award.

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which

were considered by Selection Committee consisting of eminent sportspersons and sports

administrators; headed by Col Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore. Based on the

recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has approved

to confer awards upon the following sportspersons.

A. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - 2012:

1. Shri Vijay Kumar Shooting

2. Shri Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling

B. Arjuna Awards 2012:

Sl. No. Name Discipline

1. Ms. Deepika Kumari Archery

2. Ms. Laishram Bombayla Devi Archery

3. Ms. Sudha Singh Athletics

4 Ms. Kavita Ramdas Raut Athletics

5 Ms. Ashwani Ponnappa Badminton

6 Mr. Parupalli Kashyap Badminton

7 Mr. Aditya S. Mehta Billiards & Snooker

8 Mr. Vikas Krishan Boxing

9 Mr. Yuvraj Singh Cricket

10 Mr. Sardar Singh Hockey

11 Mr. Yashpal Solanki Judo

12 Mr. Anup Kumar Kabaddi

13 Mr. Samir Suhag Polo

14 Ms. Annu Raj Singh Shooting

15 Mr. Omkar Singh Shooting

16 Mr. Joydeep Karmakar Shooting

17 Ms. Deepika Pallikal Squash

18 Mr. Sandeep Sejwal Swimming

19 Ms. Ng. Sonia Chanu Weightlifting

20 Mr. Narsingh Yadav Wrestling

21 Mr. Rajinder Kumar Wrestling

22 Ms. Geeta Phogat Wrestling

23 Mr. M. Bimoljit Singh Wushu

24 Mrs. Deepa Mallick Athletics Paralympics

25 Mr. Ramkaran Singh Athletics Paralympics

Normally there will be only one award of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna every year to

be given to an individual sportsperson. However, the Scheme provides that this condition

can be relaxed in exceptional circumstances viz., winning of an Olympic medal. Likw

wise for the Arjuna Awards, normally not more than 15 awards are to be given in any

calendar year. However, the Scheme of Arjuna Awards also provides that keeping in

view the performance of Indian sportspersons in the Commonwealth, Asian Games and

Olympic Games during a particular year, Arjuna Awards exceeding 15 in number may be

allowed with proper justification and approval of the Minister for Youth Affairs &

Sports. The Selection Committee noted that 2012 is the Olympic year and India has won

6 medals in the London Olympics, which is countrys best performance in Olympic

Games, and recommended that the condition of one award in case of Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Ratna and 15 awards in case of Arjuna Awards may be relaxed and the number of Rajiv

Gandhi Khel Ratna Award may be increased from 1 (one) to 2 (two) and Arjun Awards

may be increased from 15 (fifteen) to 25 (twenty five).

The awardees will receive their awards from His Excellency the President of India

at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2012.

Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees will

receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh each and Arjuna Awardees will receive statuettes,

citations and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each.