Question : Chess players

(a) Whether the Government is not including Chess players on the list of awards Khel Ratna, Arjuna or Dronacharya this year despite Chess being booming in India;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is true that the Government gives preference to Olympics sports in the selection process and if so, the details there of;
(d) if not, the reasons for not giving any award to the chess players for the last seven years; and
(e) Whether the Government has considered giving chess a separate category like cricket to encourage the chess fraternity, if so, details thereof and if not, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[KIREN RIJIJU]

(a) and (b): The Government had invited applications for Sports Awards (Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyanchand Award) for the year 2020 from the sportspersons of all sporting disciplines including chess.

(c) : Sir, it is not true that the Government gives preference to Olympic Sports in the selection procedure for Sports Awards. The sportspersons/coaches of all the sporting disciplines whether it is an Olympic sport or not is considered for the award as per the schemes.

(d): Sir, it is not true that Government has not given any award to chess players in last seven years. In the year 2013 Arjuna Award was conferred to a sportsperson from chess discipline. However, the discretion to confer an award on any sportsperson irrespective of the sporting discipline is with the Selection Committee which is duly constituted by the Government and on the basis of its recommendations, nominations of various sportspersons are finalized for the Sports Awards.

(e) Sir, there is no such proposal.

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