Arjuna Award facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arjuna Award |
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Mohammed Shami receiving the Arjuna Award in 2024
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| Reward | ₹15,00,000 | |||
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| Year | Number of recipients |
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| 1961–1969 |
95(+ 1 team award)
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| 1970–1979 |
136
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| 1980–1989 |
147
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| 1990–1999 |
147
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| 2000–2009 |
151
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| 2010–2019 |
178
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| 2020–2029 |
119
|
The Arjuna Award is a very important sports award in India. Its full name is "Arjuna Awards given for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games." It is the second-highest sports honor in India. The top award is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
The award gets its name from Arjuna. He is a famous hero from an ancient Indian story called the Mahabharata. In this story, Arjuna is known for being hardworking, dedicated, and focused. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives out this award every year. Before 1991–1992, the Arjuna Award was the highest sports honor in India.
To get this award, athletes need to show great performance in sports. They must have done well for at least four years on the international stage. They also need to show good leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline. As of 2020, winners receive a bronze statue of Arjuna. They also get a certificate, a special dress, and a cash prize of ₹15,00,000 (15 lakh Indian rupees).
The Arjuna Award was started in 1961. It was created to honor India's best sportspersons. Over the years, the rules for the award have changed a few times. In 1977, it started including all recognized sports. In 1995, it added categories for traditional Indian games and athletes with disabilities. A special award for lifetime contributions was also created in 1995. This later became the separate Dhyan Chand Award in 2002.
The most recent changes happened in 2018. Now, the award is mainly given for sports included in big events. These include the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. It also covers World Championships and World Cups. Other sports like Cricket, traditional Indian games, and Parasports are also included. The rules suggest giving out about fifteen awards each year. More awards can be given if athletes perform exceptionally well in major events or team sports. At least one award must go to an athlete with a disability.
History of the Award
The Arjuna Award has a rich history of honoring India's top athletes. It was first given out in 1961. Since then, it has recognized hundreds of talented individuals. The award aims to encourage excellence in sports across the country.
How the Award Changed Over Time
The rules for the Arjuna Award have been updated several times. These changes help make sure the award stays fair and relevant. For example, in 1977, more sports were added to the list of eligible categories. This meant that athletes from a wider range of sports could be recognized.
In 1995, the award became even more inclusive. It started to honor athletes in traditional Indian games. It also created a special category for sportspersons with physical challenges. This showed that India values all its athletes.
A big change happened in 2002. A new award, the Dhyan Chand Award, was created. This award specifically honors athletes who have made great contributions to sports throughout their lives. This allowed the Arjuna Award to focus more on current outstanding performances.
Current Award Categories
Since 2001, the Arjuna Award is given in specific types of sports. This helps to keep the award focused on top-level achievements. The main categories are:
- Sports played in major international events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup, and World Championships. Cricket is also included.
- Traditional Indian games.
- Sports for athletes with physical challenges.
These categories ensure that the award recognizes a wide range of sporting excellence in India.
See also
In Spanish: Premios Arjuna para niños
