New Delhi, August 29
President Pratibha Patil presented the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya, Dhyan Chand and Tenzing Norgay sports awards at a function at the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan here this evening.

Indian ODI team cricket captain and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Mahendra Singh Dhoni is presently leading the Indian team in the ODI series against Sri Lanka in Lanka, and therefore, could not be present to receive the award, the highest sporting honour of the country.

His award was collected by his father Pan Singh Dhoni. Dhoni’s mother was also present, but both refused to say anything to the media.

“Leave us alone,” they said and rushed off as soon as the awards function was over without attending the customary tea party hosted by the President.

The only other cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award was Sachin Tendulkar in 1998.

Others who missed the presentation ceremony were chess queen Harika Dronavalli, who is playing abroad, and golfer Arjun Atwal. While Harika’s award was collected by her sister, Atwal’s trophy was received by his father.

Hockey star Probhjot Singh said though the Arjuna Award had come to him a bit too late, after playing in the international circuit for over a decade, it was better late than never.

“I am happy”, he said smiling. But he wished that it was better had the award come after playing in the Beijing Olympics, for which India had failed to qualify.

Among the total number of 23 award winners, there were only five women – Tombi Devi (judo), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (shooting), Alka Tomar (wrestling), Chitra K Soman (athletics) and Harika Dronavalli (chess). All were Arjuna Award winners.

Punjabi University vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the best sports university in the country.

Following are the award winners: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: Mahender Singh Dhoni (cricket). The award carries a prize money of Rs 5 lakh.

Dronacharya Award (cash prize Rs 3 lakh): Sanjeev Kumar Singh (archery), Jagdish Singh (boxing), G.E. Sridharan (volleyball) and Jagminder Singh (wrestling).

Arjuna Award (cash prize Rs 3 lakh): Chitra Soman (athletics), Anup Sridhar (badminton), Johnson Varghese (boxing), Harika Dronavalli (chess), Arjun Atwal (golf), Probhjot Singh (hockey), Tombi Devi (judo), Bajranglal Takhar (rowing), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (shooting), Alka Tomar (wrestling) and Farman Basha (powerlifting, disabled).

Dhyan Chand Award: Hakam Singh (athletics), Mukhbain Singh (hockey) and Gian Singh (wrestling).

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: Neel Chand, Mohinder Singh, Tushar Kanti Rath and Captain M.S.Kohli.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Punjabi University, Patiala. The university received Rs 10 lakh.

Courtesy: Tribue