National Sports Awards 2023: Para Archer Sheetal Devi Stands Out in Prestigious Ceremony
The grandeur of the Rashtrapati Bhawan echoed with applause as President Droupadi Murmu conferred the national sports awards upon India’s outstanding athletes. Notable among the awardees were cricketer Mohammed Shami and para archer Sheetal Devi, who garnered widespread acclaim for their remarkable achievements.
Khel Ratna for Badminton Duo Shetty and Rankireddy
Shuttlers Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for their exceptional performances in 2023. The duo made history by securing India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in badminton, in addition to clinching the Asian Championships title and the Indonesia Open Super 1000 title.
The awards ceremony, traditionally held on August 29 to commemorate Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary, was postponed due to the Hangzhou Asian Games, which took place from September 23 to October 8 last year. The impact of India’s record-breaking haul of 107 medals at the Asian Games was evident in the ceremony, with many athletes being medal winners in Hangzhou.
The Durbar Hall resonated with applause as para archer Sheetal Devi, a three-time gold medalist at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, walked up to receive her Arjuna Award. Despite a rare medical condition called Phocomelia, which resulted in her not having upper limbs, the 16-year-old has become an international para-archery champion.
Cricket Star Mohammed Shami Acknowledged
Despite currently recovering from an ankle injury, pace bowler Mohammed Shami received accolades for his exceptional performance in the World Cup. Shami’s contribution of 24 wickets in seven games during the tournament earned him well-deserved recognition. Chess Grandmaster R. Vaishali, elder sister of the prodigious R. Praggnanandhaa, received applause for her achievement as the third woman from India to attain the GM title, following Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika.
Among the notable Dronacharya awardees was chess coach RB Ramesh, recognized for his role in grooming young chess talent, including Praggnanandhaa. The prestigious awards carry significant cash prizes. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna comes with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, while the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards include a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.
The National Sports Awards ceremony showcased the resilience, dedication, and excellence of Indian athletes across various disciplines. The event not only honored their achievements but also highlighted the diversity and spirit of sports in the country.
