National Sports Award: Five members of the wrestling fraternity have been recommended by the panel for the National Sports Award 2020. While Vinesh Phogat has been nominated for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, Sakshi Malik, Rahul Aware and Divya Kakran have been recommended for Arjuna award. O.P. Yadav meanwhile has been nominated for Dronacharya Award.
Vinesh who was recommended for the consecutive year by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the award, says, “It is a proud moment for me. It was a long wait but it was worthwhile. If God permits I would live up to the reputation associated with this award”.
Also Read: WFI to commence national camp from Sept 1, Narsingh Yadav amongst 26 shortlisted wrestlers for it
In a first, this year’s National Sports Awards ceremony, which normally held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is likely to be conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all the winners logging in from their respective places to hear their names being announced on August 29.
August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand.
The Khel Ratna comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.
The Arjuna award comes with a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, a bronze statue of mythological hero Arjuna and a scroll.
The National Sports Awards also include the Dronacharya and the Dhyan Chand honours for achievements in coaching. They are conferred every year by the President of India.
Also Read: For the first time, National Sports Awards to be held virtually due to covid-19