Sports & Awards
(SSC CPO – General Awareness & Current Affairs)
1. Simple Explanation
Sports are organized competitive physical activities that test skill, strength, speed, endurance, and mental concentration.
Awards are honours given to athletes (or coaches, administrators) for exceptional performance, contribution to sport, or service to the nation.
In India, the most prestigious sports awards are:
| Award | Awarding Body | Main Purpose | Typical Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Highest Indian sporting honour | Outstanding performance in a major event (Olympics, World Cup, etc.) |
| Arjuna Award | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Recognition of consistent performance | 4 consecutive years of national/international excellence |
| Dronacharya Award | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Coaching excellence | 5‑year record of coaching athletes to success |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (old name) | – | – | – |
| Padma Awards (Padma Shri / Padma Bhushan) | President of India | Civilian honour for sports contribution | Outstanding achievements, national impact |
| Bharat Ratna (in sport) | President of India | Highest civilian award | Rare, for extraordinary contributions |
Internationally, the most recognised are the Olympic medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), World Cup trophies (ICC Cricket World Cup, FIFA World Cup), and World Championships (IAAF, FINA, etc.).
2. Key Points
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Indian Sports Awards | • Khel Ratna – first awarded 1991‑92 (renamed in 1999). • Arjuna – established 1961; 2023 edition awarded 138 recipients. • Dronacharya – introduced 1985; 2023 edition had 100+ recipients. |
| Award Criteria | • Khel Ratna: Outstanding performance in a major event (Olympic, World Cup, Asian Games). • Arjuna: 4 consecutive years of excellence, moral character, and leadership. • Dronacharya: 5‑year coaching record, at least one athlete’s gold medal in major event. |
| Recent Awardees (2023) | • Khel Ratna: 1 athlete – Shivam Mavi (Men’s 100m hurdles, World Athletics Championships). • Arjuna: 29 athletes covering cricket, badminton, wrestling, kabaddi, etc. • Padma Shri: 3 sports personalities – Sakshi Malik (wrestling), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (cricket), P. V. Sindhu (badminton). |
| International Events | • Olympics – 2024 Paris (Summer), 2026 Milan‑Brennero (Winter). • Commonwealth Games – 2022 Birmingham; next in 2026 Victoria. • Asian Games – 2022 Hangzhou (held 2023); next in 2026 Nagoya. • ICC Cricket World Cup – 2023 in India. |
| Top Indian Athletes (2023) | • Neeraj Chopra – 2022 Olympics gold (javelin). • PV Sindhu – 2 Olympic medals (2016, 2020). • Sakshi Malik – 2016 Olympic bronze (wrestling). |
| Coaching Awards | • Dronacharya recipients include G. V. Srikanth (badminton), Jitendra Kumar (wrestling). |
| Other Awards | • Bharat Ratna for sports: Syed Abdul Rahim (football, 1965). • Padma Bhushan – M.S. Dhoni (2016). |
3. Worked Example
Scenario – A hypothetical Indian athlete, Ramesh Kumar, wins Gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
| Step | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which Indian award does he automatically qualify for? | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (Gold at the Olympics). |
| 2 | Can he also receive the |