9 months ago
Hardik Singh Nominated for Khel Ratna
Hardik Singh, the vice-captain of the Indian men's hockey team, has been recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, which is India's highest sporting honor.
This award comes with a medallion, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.
Additionally, 24 athletes, including teenaged chess star Divya Deshmukh and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, have been recommended for the Arjuna Awards, which come with a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.
The selection committee, which includes notable figures like Gagan Narang and Aparna Popat, met in New Delhi to finalize these recommendations.
Notably, no cricketers were featured in this year's list of nominees.
Aarti Pal, a Yogasan athlete, is recommended for the Arjuna Award, marking a first for the discipline.
Hardik Singh has been a key member of India’s bronze medal-winning teams at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has won back-to-back Hockey India Player of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023.
Hardik Singh, vice-captain of the Indian men's hockey team, is the sole nominee for the 2025 Khel Ratna award.
24 athletes, including Divya Deshmukh (Chess) and Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics), are recommended for the Arjuna Awards.
Aarti Pal, a Yogasan athlete, is recommended for the Arjuna Award, marking a first for the discipline.
The Khel Ratna award includes a medallion, citation, and Rs 25 lakh cash prize, while the Arjuna Award includes Rs 15 lakh.
No cricketers are featured in this year's list of nominees, with Mohammed Shami being the last cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award in 2023.
- Who
- Hardik Singh (Hockey), Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics), Divya Deshmukh (Chess), and 22 others
- What
- Recommendations for Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- When
- Wednesday, 2025
- Why
- To recognize outstanding achievements in sports
Key facts
- Khel Ratna Nominees
- Hardik Singh (Hockey)
- Arjuna Award Nominees
- Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics), Divya Deshmukh (Chess), Aarti Pal (Yogasana), Mehuli Ghosh (Shooting), Treesa Jolly (Badminton), Gayatri Gopichand (Badminton), Vidit Gujrathi (Chess), Pranati Nayak (Gymnastics), Rajkumar Pal (Hockey), Lalremsiami (Hockey), and 14 others
- Khel Ratna Prize
- Medallion, citation, and Rs 25 lakh (Rs 2.5 million) cash prize
- Arjuna Award Prize
- Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million) cash prize
- Selection Committee Members
- IOA Vice President Gagan Narang, former badminton player Aparna Popat, former hockey player M M Somaya
Timeline
WADA's 2023 report sparked IOC alarm over India's doping in sports.
IOC's warning forced IOA to form anti-doping panel.
IOA's panel led to athlete support department for Khel Ratna, Arjuna selections.
IOA's new department likely influenced prestigious award picks.
Hardik Singh (hockey) in line for Khel Ratna; 24 athletes, no cricketers, for Arjuna.
Quotes
Harmanpreet Singh
Captain of the India national men's hockey team
“Yes, we believe (that India will win major tournaments). In the last two Olympics, we won the bronze medal, and we have the confidence to win major tournaments. After this league, we have adequate time to prepare for the World Cup.”
republicworld.com
Sources
Full list of National Sports Awards recommendations: Hardik Singh lone nominee for Khel Ratna; Divya Deshmukh, Vidit Gujrathi & Tejaswin Shankar for Arjuna
National Sports Awards 2025: Hardik Singh lone Khel Ratna nominee, 24 named for Arjuna Awards
No cricketers! Meet 2025 Khel Ratna, Arjuna nominees
Confident Captain Harmanpreet Singh Ready To Lead India Into New International Hockey Campaign: ‘We Have the Confidence to Win'
Hockey star Hardik lone recommendation for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna; Divya, Tejaswin included in Arjuna list
Indian men’s Hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh named Khel Ratna nominee; cricketers miss out for second consecutive year
Hardik Singh Nominated For Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, No Cricketer Among 24 Selected For Arjuna Awards
Hockey Star Hardik Singh Lone Recommendation For Khel Ratna; Divya, TJ & Mehuli For Arjuna
