Sports & Awards – Study Notes
Program: Uttar Pradesh Patwari / Lekhpal
Subject: General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Sports & Awards
1. Simple Explanation
Sports awards recognize outstanding athletic performance, coaching excellence, and contributions to sport in India and worldwide. They are conferred by the Government of India, national sports bodies, and international federations. The most prominent Indian awards include Khel Ratna (Mahavir Award), Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Major Dhyan Chand Excellence Award, and Padma Awards (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan). Internationally, medals and titles such as Olympic gold/silver/bronze, FIFA World Cup titles, ICC Cricket World Cup, and World Championships are celebrated.
2. Key Points
| Category | Award / Title | Awarding Body | Eligibility | Notable Recipients (Recent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government of India | Khel Ratna (Mahavir Award) | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Indian athletes who win a medal in Olympics, Asian Games, or similar events | PV Sindhu (2016, 2020), Rohit Sharma (2022) |
| Arjuna Award | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Indian athletes with consistent international performance | Mary Kom (2022), Sushil Kumar (2022) | |
| Dronacharya Award | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Coaches who produce internationally successful athletes | N. V. R. Prathap (2022) | |
| Major Dhyan Chand Excellence Award | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Indian athletes with outstanding achievements outside the Olympics | Mahesh Bhupathi (2021) | |
| Padma Awards | President of India | Sportspeople and coaches for meritorious service | Virat Kohli (Padma Shri, 2022) | |
| National Sports Bodies | National Sports Awards | Indian Olympic Association, BCCI, BWF, etc. | Discipline‑specific excellence | Saina Nehwal (BWF) |
| International | Olympic Medals | International Olympic Committee | Athletes who finish 1st–3rd in Olympic events | Neeraj Chopra (Gold 2020) |
| FIFA World Cup Titles | FIFA | National teams | Brazil, Germany, etc. | |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | International Cricket Council | National teams | Australia, India (2023) | |
| World Championships | Various International Federations | World‑level athletes | Usain Bolt (100m) |
Additional Highlights
- Khel Ratna replaced by Mahavir Award in 2022.
- Arjuna Award criteria: 3‑point system (performance, leadership, discipline, etc.).
- Dronacharya Award given to coaches for at least 3 international medals.
- Major Dhyan Chand Award includes a monthly pension and a silver plaque.
- Padma Awards are often conferred on athletes after a “golden jubilee” or after a major international triumph.
- International Sports Awards may include FIFA World Player of the Year, World Rugby Player of the Year, etc.
3. Worked Example
Q1. Who received the Khel Ratna (Mahavir Award) for the year 2021?
A1. Neeraj Chopra – 2021 Mahavir Award for winning the gold medal in Men's javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held 2021).
Q2. A coach has trained 5 Indian athletes who each won at least one Olympic medal. Which award does he qualify for?
A2. Dronacharya Award – qualifies by having trained athletes with at least 3 international medals (criteria met).
Q3. Which Indian badminton player received the Arjuna Award in 2022?
A3. Saina Nehwal – Arjuna Award 2022 for her sustained international performance.
Q4. Name the award given to Indian sports personalities for “meritorious service” beyond the Olympics, and list its three levels.
A4. Major Dhyan Chand Excellence Award – levels: Gold (Dhyan Chand Award), Silver (Dhyan Chand Award), Bronze (Dhyan Chand Award) – each with a medal and a monthly pension.
Q5. Identify an international sports award that is not conferred by any Indian body.
A5. Olympic Gold Medal – conferred by the International Olympic Committee.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Khel Ratna / Mahavir Award – Highest Indian sports honour (Olympic/Asian Games medals).
- Arjuna Award – For consistent international performance; 3‑point scoring system.
- Dronacharya Award – For coaches producing international medalists.
- Major Dhyan Chand Award – For lifetime contribution to sports; includes pension.
- Padma Awards – Civil honours (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan) for sporting excellence.
- Olympic Medals – International gold/silver/bronze; highest global recognition.
- FIFA/ICC/World Championship titles – National team achievements.
- National Sports Bodies – Discipline‑specific awards (e.g., BWF for badminton, BCCI for cricket).
- Key Criteria – International medals, leadership, discipline, longevity, and coaching success.
Memorization Tip:
*“Mahavir for medals, Arjuna for performance, D