Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) Former star athlete P.T.Usha will head the selection committee for this year’s Arjuna and Dhyanchand Awards, as also the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
The government also constituted the selection committee for the Dronacharya Awards which will be headed by former hockey player Ashok Kumar, the son of the legendary hockey wizard Dhyanchand.

Last year an exception was made for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour. It was awarded to Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh, wrestler Sushil Kumar and four-time world champion woman pugilist M.C. Mary Kom.

From this year again, the award, comprising a scroll of honour, a medal and Rs.7.5 lakh in cash,will be given to only one athlete.

The Arjuna Award consists of a statuette, a scroll of honour, ceremonial dress and Rs.5 lakh in cash.

The Dhyanchand Award comprises of a plaque, a scroll of honour, a ceremonial dress and Rs.5 lakh in cash.

As for the Dronacharya Award, ordinarily not more than five are given in any calendar year. The award comprises a plaque, a scroll of honour, a ceremonial dress, and Rs.5 lakh in cash.

The Rastriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, instituted last year, has four categories - community sports development, promotion of sports academies of excellence, support to elite sportspersons and academies of excellence, support to elite sportspersons and employment to sportspersons. The award carries a trophy and a citation.

The two committees will consist of former sportspersons and government representatives.

The selection committee for the Arjuna and Dhyanchand Awards and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: P.T. Usha (Athletics, Chairperson), Aparna Popat (Badminton), Maneypandu Somaya (Hockey), Nisha Millet (Swimming), Leander Paes (Tennis), Karnam Malleshwari (Weightlifting), Limba Ram (Archery), Adhiraj Singh (Equestrian), Mohd Habib (Football), Sriram Bhavasar (Kabaddi), Pradip Singh, S.G. Baruah, Sayan Chatterjee, Injeti Srinivas, Rahul Bhatnagar, Pravir Krishn and Deepika Kachhal.

The selection committee for the Dronacharya Awards: Ashok Kumar (Hockey, Chairperson), Vandana Rao (Athletics), Rajendra Prasad (Boxing), Mohammed Zulfiqaruddin (Football), Anjali Bhagwat (Shooting), Manjit Dua (Table Tennis), Gurcharan Singh (Cricket), Ismail Baig (Rowing), G.E. Sreedharan (Volleyball), Cyrus Poncha (Squash), Jhanjha Tripathi, U.K.S. Chauhan, Sayan Chatterjee, Injeti Srinivas, Rahul Bhatnagar, Pravir Krishn, Deepika Kachhal.