ARJUNA AWARDS

About:

• National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. One of them is Arjuna Award.
  
  
• What are arjuna awards? The objective of the Awards is to recognize outstanding achievements of sportspersons in the field of sports at international level.
  
  
• History: It was established in 1961. A total of 53 cricketers have been awarded the Arjuna Award with Saleem Durani, in 1961, the first recipient.
  
  
• Given by: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
  
  
• Cash prize: The Award consist of a statuette and a cash Award of Rs. 5 lakh.
  
  
• Sports disciplines covered:
  • Olympic Games/Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/World Cup/Word Championship disciplines and cricket or any equivalent recognized international Tournament.
    
    
  • Indigenous Games.
    
    
  • Sports for physically challenged.
    
    
  
  
  
• Eligibility for the Award:
  • A sportsperson should have had not only good performance over the previous four years at the International level, but should also have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
    
    
  • No Award will be made for a second time to the same person.
    
    
  • The Award may be given posthumously if such an occasion arises.
    
    
  
  
  
• Number Of Arjuna Awards To Be Given In A Year:
  • Ordinarily not more than one award will be given in each discipline in a particular year. But this principle of one award per discipline may be relaxed in case of team sports and across gender.
    
    
  • At least one award is to be given exclusively for sports for physically challenged.
    
    
  • Normally not more than 15 awards could be given in any calendar year. However, keeping in view the performance of Indian sportspersons in the Commonwealth, Asian and Olympic Games during a particular year, more than 15 Awards may be allowed.