Introduction
The Rashtrapati Bhavan echoed with thunderous applause as President Draupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Sports Awards to India’s best-performing athletes on Tuesday. Among the standout awardees was cricket sensation Mohammed Shami, who was honored with the esteemed Arjuna Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
Grand Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan:
President Draupadi Murmu held a grand ceremony to celebrate the National Sports Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The atmosphere was electric as athletes from various disciplines gathered to be recognized for their extraordinary achievements.
Mohammed Shami: The 58th Cricketer to Receive Arjuna Award:
Cricket fans were delighted when Mohammed Dashmi became the 58th Indian cricketer to be awarded the Arjuna Award. The recognition came in recognition of Shami’s outstanding efforts in the World Cup, which earned him the admiration of Team India.
Shami’s Dream Moment
Talking to ANI after the ceremony, Mohammadashmi expressed her happiness saying, “This award is a dream. Many people’s lives get cut short and they can’t get this award. I am happy that I was selected for this award. It’s not easy for me to explain this moment, but all I can say is that dreams do come true.”
Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to reach here and have always supported me in my ups and downs… thanks to My Coach, BCCI,team mates,my family,… pic.twitter.com/fWLGKfY5g8
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) January 9, 2024
Khel Ratna Award for Badminton Stars:
Badminton talents Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy stole the show when they received the prestigious Khel Ratna Award. The two were awarded this esteemed title for their outstanding efforts in 2023, which included earning India’s first gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games.
Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award Cash Prizes:
Beyond mere recognition, these prizes hold great significance. The winners of the Khel Ratna award are given a financial prize of Rs 25 lakh, while the winners of the Arjuna and Dronacharya medals receive Rs 15 lakh each.
Chess Grandmaster R Vaishali Honored:
The Arjuna Award was given to R. Vaishali, who just attained the esteemed status of a chess grandmaster. She joins Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika as the only other female players in the nation to have achieved this feat.
Isha Singh’s Remarkable Feat Amidst Asian Olympic Qualifiers:
19-year-old pistol shooter Isha Singh was competing in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta, therefore she was unable to attend the event. She qualified for the Olympics in Paris by winning gold in the 10-meter air pistol competition both individually and as a team.
Diverse Achievements Recognized
This year’s Arjuna Awardees include a varied group of sportsmen, featuring boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin, para-archer Sheetal Devi, and wrestler Anant Panghal, a former junior world champion. Notably, Sheetal won two gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games after overcoming physical obstacles to become the first international para archer to compete without using both hands.
Many congratulations to the incredibly deserving World’s No. 1⃣ para archer, Sheetal Devi, on being conferred with the prestigious #ArjunaAward.
An embodiment of unwavering grit, determination & relentless hard work. Your journey stands as an epitome of resilience, motivating… pic.twitter.com/7YBsC6Bl6z
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 9, 2024
Conclusion
The accomplishments and contributions of India’s best athletes took center stage as the National Sports Awards ceremony came to a close. Mohammed Shami’s Arjuna Award and the acknowledgment of other outstanding abilities highlight the country’s dedication to honoring sporting greatness.
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