India skipper (ODI and Test) Virat Kohli was among many who congratulated the athletes and coaches who were conferred with National Sports Awards 2021.
Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India, presented the Sports and Adventure Awards 2021 at the event organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 13th November.
The winners were felicitated with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards-2021, Dronacharya Awards-2021, Arjuna Awards-2021, Dhyan Chand Awards-2021, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar-2021, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy-2021 and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards-2020
Kohli who received Khel Ratna award in 2018 believes awardees’ excellence will inspire so many people to pursue their sporting passion.
“A great moment of pride and congratulations to all the Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Adventure award winners. Your excellence will inspire so many people to pursue their sporting passion,” Kohli’s tweet read.
This year too India’s opening batter Shikhar Dhawan received the Arjuna Award. Saying that he is very grateful to be given this accolade Dhawan said, “I am very happy that my talent has gotten the appreciation, it is a big honour and I am very grateful. 20-25 years I have been playing cricket, it is a long journey for me. I will try to do my best for my country. This award will give me motivation to do better. I congratulate everyone who have been awarded today. I just want to perform for the team.”
12 athletes received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award including Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, wrestler Ravi Kumar, para shooter Avani Lekhara, Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri and India women’s cricket stalwart Mithali Raj.
Along with Shikhar Dhawan, Tokyo 2020 Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel, and Para shuttler and Noida DM Suhas Yathiraj were among the 35 athletes who received the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Indian athletics coach TP Ouseph and former Indian women’s hockey captain Pritam Siwach were among the 10 coaches who received the Dronacharya Award.
The award function was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. National Sports Awards are given every year to recognise and reward excellence in sports.
