The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the Sports and Adventure Awards 2021 (also known as National Sports Awards 2021) at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 13 November 2021.
The Sports and Adventure Awards 2021 have been given in the following categories:
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards:
‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of previous four years.
Dronacharya Awards:
‘Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.
Arjuna Awards:
‘Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good performance over a period of previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
Dhyan Chand Awards:
‘Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime achievement in Sports and Games’ is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports event after their retirement.
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar:
‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar’ is given to corporate entities (both in private and public sector), sports control boards, NGOs including sports bodies at the State and National level who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy:
Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.
- Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards-2020 were also presented.
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards 2021 were given to 12 Sportspersons.
- 35 Sports persons received the Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2021.
- National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.