Celebrating Excellence: National Sports Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The National Sports Awards ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrated the achievements of Indian athletes and coaches. President Droupadi Murmu presented awards to notable figures in sports, including Tejaswin Shankar and Vidit Gujarathi. The event recognized excellence in various categories, including the prestigious Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards. This annual ceremony highlights the dedication and contributions of athletes and coaches to the sporting community, showcasing their commitment to excellence and sportsmanship. Read on to learn more about the award recipients and their remarkable achievements.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 13:37 IST

National Sports Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, November 13: A group of distinguished Indian athletes and coaches gathered at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday to receive their National Sports Awards from President Droupadi Murmu. This annual event honors exceptional achievements in sports.

Notable athletes such as chess player Vidit Gujarathi, hockey player Lalremsiami, shooter Akhil Sheoran, and star athlete Tejaswin Shankar were present at the ceremony. The National Sports Awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence in various sports disciplines.

According to a press release from the ministry, the awards are conferred based on recommendations from a Selection Committee led by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge. The 'Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games' recognizes athletes for their achievements over the past four years, along with their leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.

The following athletes are set to receive the award: Tejaswin Shankar (athletics), Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi (athletics), Priyanka Goswami (athletics), Treesa Jolly (badminton), Gayatri Gopichand (badminton), Narender (boxing), Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (chess), Divya Jitendra Deshmukh (chess), Dhanush Srikanth (deaf shooting), Lalremsiami (hockey), Rajkumar Pal (hockey), Surjeet (kabaddi), Pooja (kabaddi), Rudransh Khandelwal (para-shooting), Ekta Bhyan (para-shooting), Arvind Singh (rowing), and Akhil Sheoran (shooting).

The Arjuna Awards (Lifetime) will honor players who have made significant contributions to sports and continue to promote it post-retirement. Former Indian footballer and coach Arumainayagam will be among the recipients.

The Dronacharya Award recognizes outstanding coaches who have consistently enabled athletes to excel in international competitions. Recipients in the regular category include Parveer Singh (athletics), Chhote Lal Yadav (boxing), and Neha Nandkumar Chavan (shooting). Lifetime honors will be awarded to Dharmendra Singh Yadav (boxing) and Virender Kumar (wrestling).

Additionally, the 'Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar' will be awarded to corporate entities and NGOs that have significantly contributed to sports promotion and development. The Army Paralympic Node in Pune will receive this prestigious award.