Rourkela (Odisha): Indian men’s hockey players Jarmanpreet Singh and Sanjay Kumar expressed their joy and determination after being conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Government of India for their outstanding performances in the sport. Along with Jarmanpreet and Sanjay, fellow hockey players Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and women’s hockey captain Salima Tete were also awarded the Arjuna Award for 2024.
Jarmanpreet Singh’s Thoughts
Jarmanpreet, who currently plays for Delhi SG Pipers in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL), expressed his excitement about receiving the Arjuna Award. He said, “It is the dream of an athlete to receive the Arjuna award, and when you get to know that you are going to receive this, it is very exciting. It also brings more responsibilities on your shoulders when you get a national award. I am very happy.”
Sanjay Kumar’s Gratitude
Sanjay, playing for Kalinga Lancers in HIL, shared his gratitude for the support he received throughout his career. “My family and friends have offered me a lot of support. Then came the village coaches, the Chandigarh Hockey Academy, and I kept getting support as I rose to the Indian national camp. I would like to give credit to the Indian hockey team because we performed very well in the Olympics and won medals. This award will motivate me to work harder and win more medals for the country.”
Other Awardees and Recognitions
In addition to the Arjuna Awardees, several other athletes were also honored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Among them, Olympic double medalist Manu Bhaker, World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, and Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh were conferred with the prestigious Khel Ratna Award.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the recipients of the National Sports Awards for 2024, congratulating all athletes, coaches, and institutions for their contributions to the nation’s pride. The awardees will be honored at a special ceremony hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025.
Other notable recipients of the Arjuna Award include chess grandmaster Vantika Agrawal, athlete Jyothi Yarraji, and several para-athletes. Olympians Swapnil Suresh Kusale, Sarabjot Singh, and Para-Olympic shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis also received the prestigious award.
Lifetime Achievement
Former Dempo FC and East Bengal head coach Armando Agnelo Colaco was recognized with the Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category for his exceptional contributions to Indian football coaching.
The announcement of the 2024 National Sports Awards highlights the recognition of hard work, dedication, and the spirit of sportsmanship among Indian athletes across various disciplines.