About

It was instituted in the year 1991-92 and is awarded annually to individuals or teams for their outstanding performance in the field of sports. The award aims to recognize and encourage exceptional talent, dedication, and achievements in sports. The criteria for the Khel Ratna Award includes not only outstanding performance at the international level but also a good performance at the national level. The award is open to both individual athletes as well as teams from various sports disciplines such as cricket, football, hockey, tennis, badminton, shooting, wrestling, and more. The recipient of the Khel Ratna Award is honoured with a cash prize, a certificate, and a bronze sculpture of Arjuna, the legendary warrior from the Hindu epic "Mahabharata". The award ceremony takes place on National Sports Day, which is celebrated on August 29th every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Over the years, several notable athletes have been honored with the Khel Ratna Award for their exceptional performances and contributions to Indian sports. Some of the notable recipients include Sachin Tendulkar, Vishwanathan Anand, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Virat Kohli, and PV Sindhu. The Khel Ratna Award has played a significant role in promoting and encouraging sports in India by acknowledging the efforts and achievements of athletes. It has become a prestigious recognition for athletes striving to excel in their respective sports and serves as an inspiration for the younger generation to pursue their sporting dreams.