New Delhi: National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.
A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice S.K. Agarwal, Retired Delhi High Court Judge. Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Ms. M.C. Mary Kom. Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports).
Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations:
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2016
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1. | Ms. P.V. Sindhu | Badminton |
| 2. | Ms. Dipa Karmakar | Gymnastics |
| 3. | Shri Jitu Rai | Shooting |
| 4. | Ms. Sakshi Malik | Wrestling |
(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2016
| S.No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1 | Shri Nagapuri Ramesh | Athletics |
| 2 | Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal | Boxing |
| 3. | Shri Raj Kumar Sharma | Cricket |
| 4. | Shri Bishweshwar Nandi | Gymnastics |
| 5. | Shri S. Pradeep Kumar | Swimming (Lifetime) |
| 6. | Shri Mahabir Singh | Wrestling (Lifetime) |
(iii) Arjuna Awards 2016
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1. | Shri Rajat Chauhan | Archery |
| 2. | Ms. Lalita Babar | Athletics |
| 3. | Shri Sourav Kothari | Billiards & Snooker |
| 4. | Shri Shiva Thapa | Boxing |
| 5. | Shri Ajinkya Rahane | Cricket |
| 6. | Shri Subrata Paul | Football |
| 7. | Ms. Rani | Hockey |
| 8. | Shri Raghunath V.R. | Hockey |
| 9. | Shri Gurpreet Singh | Shooting |
| 10. | Ms. Apurvi Chandela | Shooting |
| 11. | Shri Soumyajit Ghosh | Table Tennis |
| 12. | Ms. Vinesh | Wrestling |
| 13. | Shri Amit Kumar | Wrestling |
| 14. | Shri Sandeep Singh Mann | Para-Athletics |
| 15. | Shri Virender Singh | Wrestling (Deaf) |
(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2015
| S. No. | Name of the awardee | Discipline |
| 1 | Ms. Satti Geetha | Athletics |
| 2 | Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung | Hockey |
| 3 | Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke | Rowing |
(v) Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2016
| S. No. | Category | Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuruskar, 2016 |
| 1. | Identification and Nurturing of Budding and Young Talent | 1.Hockey Citizen Group
2.Dadar Parsee Zorostrian cricket club 3.Usha School of Athletics 4. STAIRS |
| 2. | Encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility | India Infrastructure Finance Corporate Limited |
| 3. | Employment to sportspersons and other welfare measures | Reserve Bank of India |
| 4. | Sports for Development
|
Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society |
(vi) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2015-16
Punjabi University, Patiala
The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2016.
Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh. Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies and certificates. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments will be given MAKA Trophy, award money of Rs. 10 lakh and certificate.
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