Question : NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS



(a) whether the Government has prescribed norms for selection of sportspersons for National Sports Awards;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the names of the States from which youths were selected for the National Sports Awards during the last three years and thereafter;

(d) whether the Government has received complaints from the public representatives regarding the alleged irregularities in the selection process;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the remedial action taken thereon?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SUNIL DUTT)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Government of India gives following national level awards every year.


(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award :- For spectacular and most outstanding performance in sports & games at international level. Only one award is given every year subject to availability of deserving sportsperson.


(ii) Arjuna Award :- For good performance consistently for the previous three years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. Disciplines falling under international events, indigenous games and sports for physically handicapped are considered for this award. Not more than 15 awards are given in any calendar year and, ordinarily, not more than one award is given in one discipline subject to availability of deserving sportspersons.


(iii)Dhyanchand Award for Life Achievements in Sports and Games :- Three awards are given every year to those sportspersons who have contributed by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sports career.


(iv) Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and Their Coaches :- Cash awards are given to medal winners in international sports events in the disciplines of Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and Chess under the scheme of Scheme Relating to Awards every year.

(c) The names of the States from which youths were selected for the National Sports Awards during the last three years are given at Annexure – I.

(d) No, Sir. Though there has been no specific complaints regarding irregularities in the selection process, however, there has been instances of grievance received from sportspersons and public representatives from time to time. These grievances mainly pertain to non- consideration of allegedly deserving sportsperson.
(e) Does not arise.

(f) Number of awards are limited as against number of aspirants from various disciplines. The process has been made more transparent by revising the scheme in April, 2002 and March, 2004 whereby the Selection Committees for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award and Dhyanchand Award are headed by eminent sportspersons with majority of the members being sportspersons. They scrutinise and select the best elite sports persons for Awards.

ANNEXURE – I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 167 FOR 1.3.2005 REGARDING NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS ASKED BY SHRI BRAJESH PATHAK

 Name of States from which sportspersons were selected for National Awards in Sl. Awards 2001 2002 2003 No. 1. Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Kerala & Kerala Khel Ratna Maharasht Award ra 2. Arjuna Award Punjab, Karala, West Maharashtr Punjab, Bengal, a, Andhra West Punjab, Pradesh, Begal, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Manipur Orissa, Nadu, Andhra Himachal New Pradesh, Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Haryana, U.P., New Rajasthan, U.P., Delhi. New Delhi, Andhra Haryana Pradesh, Karnataka 3. Dhyanchand ----- Delhi, Rajasthan, Award West Punjab, Bengal, Maharashtr Maharasht a, Tamil ra Nadu.