It has been a proud year for India in international sports. Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards, the highest sports awards of the country, have been announced to the players who have won medals in the Olympics, Paralympics, Chess Olympiads and World Chess Championships. Paris Olympics double bronze medalist women's shooter Manu Bhakar, world chess champion D Gukesh, Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athletics player Praveen Kumar have been awarded the Khel Ratna. 32 athletes including Malayali swimmer Sajan Prakash received the Arjuna Award and Malayalee Badminton Coach S Muralidharan received the Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category.
There was controversy when Manu Bhakar was not recommended by the Khel Ratna Award selection committee because she did not submit an application. The Khel Ratna recommendation of the committee was only for Harmanpreet and Praveen Kumar. However, due to the controversy, Manu and Gukesh, who won titles in World Championships, were also included in the list by the Union Sports Ministry. Manu Bhaker's issue is a warning that the red tape that requires one to apply for recognition by the country even if they win not one but two medals in the Olympics is unnecessary. Manu is the first Indian woman to win a medal in Olympic shooting and the first Indian athlete to win two medals in one Olympics. Manu's first bronze was in the 10m air pistol individual category at the Paris Olympics. Manu also won bronze in 10m air pistol mixed with Sarabjot Singh.
Gukesh, the youngest player to become a world chess champion, won team gold and individual gold at the Chess Olympiad. Harmanpreet Singh, who was a member of the bronze medal winning hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics, was India's captain in Paris and was India's top scorer. Praveen Kumar is a high jump star who won gold in Paris Paralympics and silver in Tokyo.
Olympic bronze medalist shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh have received the Arjuna Award. Wrestler Aman, who created history as the youngest Indian to win a medal at the Olympics, also has the shine of Arjuna. Those from para-sports got a lot of representation in Arjuna this time. 17 para-athletes have come to the limelight of Arjuna.
It is pure joy that Sajan Prakash, Kerala's best gift to Indian swimming in recent times, has received Arjuna, albeit a bit late. The Dronacharya Award for Lifetime Achievement is a well-deserved recognition for S Muralidharan, who has excelled in all aspects of badminton as a player, coach, umpire, match referee, competition director and organizational officer.
Many more gems are yet to emerge from the field of sports. Only good mining can yield valuable gems. Mining in sports involves finding talented athletes at a young age and providing them with better infrastructure and training. There should be stronger measures from the central and state governments for that. Compliments from Kerala Kaumudi to the award winners.