The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today presented the National Sports Awards at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards recognize and reward excellence in sports.

The following were the recipients of the Awards:-

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - 2012

Shri Vijay Kumar Shooting

Shri Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling

B. Dronacharya Awards - 2012

Shri Virender Poonia Athletics

Ms. Sunil Dabas Kabaddi (Women)

Shri Yashvir Singh Wrestling

Shri Harendra Singh Hockey

Dr. Satyapal Singh Para Sports (Athletics)

Shri J.S. Bhatia Athletics (for Life Time Achievement)

Shri Bhawani Mukherjee Table Tennis(for Life Time Achievement)

Shri B.I. Fernandez, Cuban Boxing Coach Boxing

Dhyan Chand Awards - 2012

Shri Jagraj Singh Mann Athletics

Shri Gundeep Kumar Hockey

Shri Vinod Kumar Wrestling

Shri Sukhbir Singh Tokas Para-Sports

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards - 2011

Col Anand Swarup., SM* Land Adventure

Subedar Rajendra Singh Jalal Land Adventure

Ms. Bhakti Sharma Water Adventure

Shri Mandip Singh Soin Life Time Achievement

Arjuna Awards - 2012

Ms. Deepika Kumari Archery

Ms. Laishram Bombayla Devi Archery

Ms. Sudha Singh Athletics

Ms. Kavita Ramdas Raut Athletics

Ms. Ashwani Ponnappa Badminton

Mr. Parupalli Kashyap Badminton

Mr. Aditya S. Mehta Billiards & Snooker

Mr. Vikas Krishan Boxing

Mr. Yuvraj Singh Cricket

Mr. Sardar Singh Hockey

Mr. Yashpal Solanki Judo

Mr. Anup Kumar Kabaddi

Mr. Samir Suhag Polo

Ms. Annu Raj Singh Shooting

Mr. Omkar Singh Shooting

Mr. Joydeep Karmakar Shooting

Ms. Deepika Pallikal Squash

Mr. Sandeep Sejwal Swimming

Ms. Ng. Sonia Chanu Weightlifting

Mr. Narsingh Yadav Wrestling

Mr. Rajinder Kumar Wrestling

Ms. Geeta Phogat Wrestling

Mr. M. Bimoljit Singh Wushu

Mrs. Deepa Mallick Athletics - Paralympics

Mr. Ramkaran Singh Athletics - Paralympics

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar - 2012

Community Sports Identification and Nurturing of Budding Young Talent Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL)

Financial Support for Sports Excellence Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB)

Establishment and Management of Sports Academies of Excellence Services Sports Control Board (SSCB)

Employment of Sportspersons and Sports Welfare Measures Air India Sports Promotion Board

The loudest applause was reserved for the outstanding Arjuna Award winning para-Sports persons, Ms. Deepa Malik and Shri Ramkaran Singh. Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Youth Affairs and Sports was among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

This release issued at 1920 hrs