April 03, 2002

‘9’

ARJUNA AWARDS SCHEME REVISED

CHAIRPERSON AND SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR ARJUNA AWARDS TO COMPRISE OF DISTINGUISHED SPORTS PERSONS AND SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS

ONLY INTERNATIONAL LEVEL PERFORMANCE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

AWARD FOR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION DE-LINKED FROM ARJUNA AWARD

PRIZE MONEY INCREASED FROM RS. 1.50 LAKH TO RS. 3 LAKH

    The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has made major amendments to the scheme for Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games. The objectives of the Award, as per the revised scheme, are to recognize outstanding performance of sports persons in the field of sports at international level only. The categories for the awards have been increased to Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup, World Championship disciplines and Cricket. As far as the prize money is concerned, it has been increased to Rs. 3 lakh from Rs. 1.50 lakh. These changes were announced by Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sushree Uma Bharti at a press conference, here today.

    Major changes have been incorporated in the procedure of selection with the Chairperson of the Selection Committee being a sports person of eminence. There would be 12 other members distinguished in the field of sports as the other members of the committee. Olympians from different disciplines (5 members); Arjuna Awardees from different disciplines (4 members); Sports Administrators (2 members). The Member-Secretary of the Committee would be the Director/Deputy Secretary (Sports) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Chairperson of the Committee in consultation with the Member-Secretary may constitute panels from among its members to assist the Committee. The quorum for the meetings of the Committee shall be 75% of the members of the Committee and the Chairperson.

    As far as the eligibility for the award is concerned, a clause relating to dope has been included. Sports persons found positive for use of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee in any laboratory accredited by International Olympic Committee will not be eligible for the Arjuna Awards. Moreover, the Award for lifetime contribution has been de-linked from Arjuna Awards. A separate scheme – Dhyanchand Award for lifetime achievement in sports is being introduced for the same.

    Another major amendment to the scheme is the fixing of the maximum number of awards to 15. The concept of one award in each discipline has been retained. However, in the year succeeding Asian Games and Commonwealth Games an exception could be made for a second award being given to a sports person in those disciplines in which more than 5 medals have been won in the Asian/Commonwealth Games.

    The nominations for the award will be invited by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from all recognized National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and State/UT Governments in the month of January each year. As per the revised scheme, the last date for the receipt of nominations will be 31st May of the same year.