Introduction

In India sports awards are presented by the Government of India to athletes and sports persons for their accomplishments and outstanding
performances in the various fields of sports. Initially, the Indian Government used to grant these awards to the athletes and sports persons
for their excellent performances in all types of sport competitions. But, since 2001, the Sports awards are given only in those events that fall
under the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championship or the World Cup and also in Cricket. The awards
are also given for the National level competitions and for Sports intended for the Physically Challenged.



Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (RGKR) is Indias highest honour given for achievement in sports, given by
the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, government of India.
[1]
The words "Khel Ratna" literally mean "sports gem"
in Hindi. The award is named after the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. It carries a medal, a scroll of
honour and a substantial cash component. Up to 200405, the cash component was Rs. 500,000/- (c.11,500 USD).
In 2005, the money has been increased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 750,000.
[2][3][4]

The award was instituted in the year 199192 to supply the lack of a supreme national accolade in the field of sports.
Predating the RGKR are the Arjuna awards that have always been given to outstanding sportspersons in each of
many sporting disciplines every year. The Khel Ratna was devised to be an overarching honour, conferred for
outstanding sporting performance, whether by an individual or a team, across all sporting disciplines in a given year.




Arjuna Awards


The Arjuna Awards were established by the Indian Government in 1961 for the excellent performance by the
sportspersons in various events. The award holds a cash prize of INR 500,000, a bronze statue of Arjuna and a
scroll. The Government has recently modified the format of the award. As per revised guidelines, a sportsperson
must have a constant excellent performance for the previous three years at international level to be eligible for the
award, along with extraordinary qualities like leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.






Dronacharya Award

instituted in 1985, the Dronacharya Award is presented by the Indian Government for brilliance in sports coaching.
The award consists of a bronze figurine of Dronacharya, a cash price of Rupees 500,000 and a scroll of honor. Since
the best sportsperson award is named Arjuna Award, it would be appropriate that the best coaching award is named
Dronacharya, the Guru of Arjuna

Dronacharya Award is an award presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, government of India for
excellence in sports coaching.
[1][2]
The award comprises a bronze statuette of Dronacharya, a scroll of honour and a
cash component of Rs.500,000. The award was instituted in 1985.
[3]

As the best sportsperson award is named Arjuna Award, it is appropriate that the coaching award is named
after Dronacharya, as he was the teacher of Arjuna. B.I. Fernandez is the first foreign coach to be awarded
Dronacharya Award.

Dhyan Chand Award
Dhyan Chand Award is India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games, given by the Ministry of
Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
[1]
The award is named after the legendary Indian hockey player Dhyan
Chand. The award was initiated in 2002.
[1]
The award carries a cash prize of INR 500,000, a plaque and a scroll of
honour.
In August 2013, 4 individuals were awarded the Dhyan Chand Award: Syed Ali (Hockey), Mary D'Souza (Sequeira)
(Athletics), Anil Maan (Wrestling) and Giriraj Singh (Para-Sports).
[2]


The Dhyan Chand Award is the highest lifetime achievement award in sports and games in India and is presented by
the Indian Government. Initiated in 2002, the award bears a cash prize of INR 500,000 rupees, a figurine, ceremonial
dress and a scroll of honor. It is named after the renowned Indian hockey player Dhyan Chand.



Kolanka Cup

Kolanka Cup is a polo trophy awarded in the Indian. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the
"tallest sports trophy in the world".It is named after the Maharajaof Kolanka
[1]
HH Maharaja Saheb Meharban-I-Dostan
Raja Sri Rajah Rao Pradyumna Krishna Mahipati Suryarao Bahadur who got it made in 1936.He himself was a polo
player and had his own team the Kolanka team.The Maharaja of Kolanka. was the
4th maharajkumar of venkatagiri i.e he was the fourth son of the 29th Maharaja of Venkatagiri and the grandson
of Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra of Venkatagiri and was adopted by the childless Maharani of Kolanka.
The Kolanka Cup stands 6 feet tall and is made out of pure silver.
When it comes to sports trophies, most competitors are more concerned with winning them than with appreciating
their legacy. And in polo this is particularly true, especially when the importance of competitions at which polo
trophies are presented is not always reflected in how big, beautiful or impressive the prizes might be.
Size for one, is irrelevant for polo prizes. The Queen's Cup traditionally presented by Her Majesty The Queen at
Guards Polo Club to the winners of England's second most important tournament is the sort of small, plain silver
bowl one might find filled with bon-bons on a sideboard in a stately home.This discreet royal prize is dwarfed by the
six-foot tall Kolanka Cup, awarded to the winners of a humble competition in Madras. Donated by the Raja of Kolanka
between the wars(late 1920s or early 1930s), the cup is marked by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's
largest sports trophy. While the Queen's Cup won't even hold a full bottle of celebratory champagne, it would take
more than 27 bottles of bubbly to fill the giant Indian trophy.This shows the honor,class and liking of the game by
Indian Royals.
The Kolanka Cup towers above even the Coronation Cup, the last match for the Kolanka Cup is said to have been
played in 1998.Since then towering Cup has been stored.Thousand and thousands of polo fans look forward to the
day that it will be played again,which is not faraway.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award


The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, is an award given by the Government of Punjab for excellence and achievement
in the service of Punjab in the field of Sport. This can be at the Olympic level, World Championship level, national and
other international sporting arenas. The award was instituted in 1978 it consists of a trophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,
honouree citation and 1 lakh Rupees. First person in history to win the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award was Olympian
Pargat Singh.
[1]
The award was suspended for 10 years between 1996 to 2005 and initiated again in 2006.
[2]
However,
in 2006 the award was given to individuals where it was backdated from 1997 to 2004 so no potential winner lost their
chance to win the award.