Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and world chess champion D Gukesh are set to be honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17, 2025, as announced by the Sports Ministry on Thursday, January 2.
Initially, Manu’s name was missing from the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna Award, which is the highest sporting honor in India. However, her inclusion in the final list highlights her significant contributions to Indian sports.
Bhaker and Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar to Khel Ratna Award
Joining Bhaker and Gukesh in receiving the Khel Ratna Award are Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar. The awards will be presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on January 17.
In a statement, the Sports Ministry said, “Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons, coaches, university, and entity.”
The Khel Ratna Award recognizes outstanding achievements in sports and serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes. The upcoming ceremony is expected to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of these athletes and inspire future generations in the realm of sports.
