National Sports Awards 2025: No Cricketers Among Arjuna Awardees

Announcement of National Sports Awards 2025

A significant announcement regarding the National Sports Awards 2025 was made on Tuesday. This year, 17 athletes have been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award, notably without any cricketers on the list. Among the honorees is rising badminton star Gayatri Gopichand, daughter of renowned player and coach Pullela Gopichand.

Diverse Sports Stars Recognized

The list of Arjuna Award recipients this year features athletes from various sports, including athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, hockey, kabaddi, shooting, para-athletics, and rowing. Notable names include Divya Deshmukh and Vidit Gujrathi in chess, Tejaswin Shankar in athletics, and Gayatri Gopichand alongside Trisa Jolly in badminton.

A Milestone for Gayatri Gopichand

Gayatri Gopichand's selection adds a special touch to this year's awards. She has been part of a formidable duo in Indian women's badminton alongside Trisa Jolly. Her father, Pullela Gopichand, is a prominent figure in Indian badminton and a former All England champion. Her nomination for the Arjuna Award is seen as a significant achievement for the Gopichand family.

Absence of Cricketers Sparks Discussion

The absence of cricketers from this year's Arjuna Award list has generated considerable discussion. Previously, Mohammad Shami received the award in 2023. The 2025 list notably excludes cricket, while athletes from several other major sports have been honored.

Additionally, the government has not announced any recipients for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2025. This award is regarded as India's highest sporting honor and has seen very few instances of no selections since its inception in 1991-92.