India confers country’s highest sports award to four Olympians

Reuters:  In a first, the Indian government on Monday (22 August) conferred the country’s highest sports award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, to four sportspersons, including Olympic medallists P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik.

The award, which is generally given to only one recipient, was also announced for ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who lost a medal at Rio by a whisker, and shooter Jitu Rai.

The decision came a day after the Olympic Games drew to a close in Rio de Janeiro.

“Sports awards have been announced. P.V. Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar and Jitu Rai have been chosen for the award. The selection committee decides after considering all aspects, including the roles they have played, awards won, and more,” said Sports Minister Vijay Goel in New Delhi.

With a silver, Sindhu clinched the nation’s highest medal at Rio in badminton women’s singles, while Malik became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic bronze in wrestling.

Karmakar, meanwhile, scripted history when she became the first Indian to make it to the Olympics individual vault final. She missed a medal by just 0.15 of a point.

Karmakar’s coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, has also been selected for the Dronacharya Award, an honour by the government for excellence in sports coaching.

“I am very happy that I am being given the Khel Ratna Award and Nandi sir is being given Dronacharya Award. Thank you Government of India for taking this decision,” she said in her home state Tripura.

Rai, who won gold in his pet 50-metre event in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games two years ago, crashed out of the same event without making the final at Rio.

Sakshi’s mother, Sudesh Malik, said the award will help in motivating the young athletes and encourage them to improve.

“It feels very good. This is a good step by our government. This will encourage the three girls as well Jitu Rai,” she said in her hometown Rohtak. The Khel Ratna constitutes a cash prize of INR 7.5 lakh (about $ 11,160) along with a medal and a citation. Recipients of the Dronacharya Award, meanwhile, get a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash prize of INR five lakh (about $ 7,440).

The awards will be distributed by President Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August.