PRESIDENT PRESENTS RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA, ARJUNA AND DRONACHARYA AWARDS

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The President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presented the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards for the year 2001, here today. The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Vikram Verma and Minister for State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan were present on the occasion.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award carries a medal, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs.5.00 lakh. Dronacharya Awardee is given a statuette of Guru Dronacharya, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs.3.00 lakh. Arjuna Awardee is given a statuette of Arjuna, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs. 3.00 lakh. The following is the list of sports persons who received the awards today:

RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD FOR THE YEAR 2001

Shri Abhinav Bindra Shooting

DRONACHARYA AWARD FOR 2001

Shri Michael Joseph Ferreira Billiards and Snookers

Prof. Sunny Thomas Shooting

ARJUNA AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2001

Shri Parminder Singh Basketball

Shri Devendra Shreekant Joshi Billiards & Snookers

Shri Bruno Coutinho Football

Shri Dilip Kumar Tirkey Hockey(Men) (Award received by his uncle

Shri Sunil Patnaik)

Ms.Sita Gusain Hockey(Women)

Shri B.C. Ramesh Kabaddi

Naib Subedar Kasam Khan Rowing

Shri Samaresh Jung Shooting

Shri Sandeep Kirtane Tennis

Shri Amir Singh Volleyball

Shri Ramesh Kumar Wrestling

Lt.Cdr. R.Mahesh Yachting

Shri K.R.Shyankar Iyer Athletics (Disabled)

DHYAN CHAND AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS AND GAMES –2002

Shri Ashok Diwan Hockey

Shri Shahuraj Birajder Boxing

Ms. Aparana Ghosh Basketball

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD TROPHY FOR THE YEAR 1999-2000

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for best all round performance in sports was awarded to Delhi University. The University has won this running Trophy for 14 times. The award also carries Rs.2 lakh in cash for purchase of sports equipment. The award was received by Shri Deepak Nayar, Vice-Chancellor of the University.