Prize money of four categories of National Sports Awards hiked by Sports Ministry

Union Sports minister Kiren Rijuju announced a massive hike in the prize money of four categories of National Sports and Adventure Awards on Saturday. The awards ceremony was conducted in virtual mode this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Union Sports minister Kiren Rijuju announced a massive hike in the prize money of four categories of  National Sports and Adventure Awards on Saturday. The awards ceremony was conducted in virtual mode this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“The prize money for the Sports Awardss was last reviewed in 2008. These amounts should be reviewed once every 10 years at least. If professionals in every field have seen an enhancement in their earnings, why not our sportspersons,” Rijiju said in a statement.

Advertisement

The biggest hike was for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, which was increased to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 7.5 lakh. Arjuna Award prize money was increased to Rs 15 lakh from the previous amount of Rs 5 lakh. The Dhronacharya lifetime winners would be awarded Rs 15 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh and the Dhronacahrya regular winners would be given Rs 10 lakh instaed of Rs 5 lakh. Dhyan Chand awardees will get Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh.

The sportspersons chosen for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna include popular cricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, paddler Manika Batra and Rio Paralympic gold-winning high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu. 27 athletes have been selected for the Arjuna Award, 13 coaches for the Dhronacharya Award and 15 others for the Dhyan Chand Award.

The hike in prize money will come into effect from this year.