September 29, 2001

   The President of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan presented the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards for the year 2000, here today. The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sushree Uma Bharti and Minister of 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. 3 lakh. Dronacharya Awardee is given a statuette of Guru Dronacharya, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs. 2.50 lakh. Arjuna Awardee is given a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh. The following is the list of sports persons who received the awards today:

    Shri P.Gopichand Badminton

    Shri Gurdial Singh Bhangu Hockey

    Ms. Hansa Sharma Weightlifting

    Shri Phadke Gopal Purushottam Kho-Kho

    Shri S.M.Arif Badminton

    Shri Bhupender Dhawan Power Lifting

    Ms. K.M.Beenamol Athletics

    Shri Baljeet Singh Saini Hockey

    Ms. Tingonleima Chanu Hockey

    Ms.Anjali Vedpathak Bhagwat Shooting

    Shri Abhinav Bindra Shooting

    Shri Sebastian Xavier Swimming

    Shri J.Abhijith Swimming

    Shri Randhir Singh Wrestling

    Shri Kripa Shankar Patel Wrestling    

    Shri George Thomas Badminton

    Shri C.Honnappa Kabbadi

    Ms. S.Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman Chess

    Ms. Sanamacha Chanu Thingbaijam Weightlifting

    Shri Yadvendra Vashishta Athletics

    Shri Vijay Bhalchandra Munishwar Athletics & Power lifting

    Dr. (Ms.) Kalpana Debnath Gymnastics

    Gp Capt R.S.Bhola Hockey

    Shri Balkishan Singh Hockey

    Shri Jalaluddin Rizvi Hockey

    Ms. Madhu Yadav Hockey

    Shri Gurbir Singh Sandhu Shooting

    Late Shri K.D.Jadav Wrestling

    Shri Naresh Kumar Wrestling

    Ms. Rachna Govil Athletics

    Ms. Vijaya Mala Bhanot Athletics

    Shri Akhtar Ali Tennis

    Shri P.V.Ramana Volleyball

    Shri Surender Singh Kanwasi Rowing

    Shri Joginder Singh Bedi Athletics

    The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for best all round performance in sports was awarded to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The University has won this running Trophy for the fourth consecutive year. The award also carries Rs. 2 lakh in cash for purchase of sports equipment.