New Delhi: Indian ODI cricket captain and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be the cynosure of all eyes when President Pratibha Patil gives away the National Sports Awards on August 29.
The government on Tuesday formally announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards for the year 2007. Apart from getting the highest sporting honour, Dhoni would also take home a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh, a scroll of honour and a medal.
The Arjuna awardees will get a cash award of Rs 3 lakh, a scroll of honour and a statute. Dhyan Chand awardees would be given away a cash award of Rs 3 lakh, a scroll of honor and a plaque. Dronacharya awardees will get a cash award of Rs 3 lakh, a scroll of honour and a plaque.
The list of awardees:
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2007:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (cricket).
Arjuna Awards for the year 2007:
Chitra K 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), Farman Basha (power lifting; Disabled category).
Dhyan Chand Awards for the year 2008:
Hakam Singh (athletics), Mukhbain Singh (hockey ), Gian Singh (wrestling).
Dronacharya Awards for the year 2007:
Sanjeeva Kumar Singh (archery), Jagdish Singh (boxing), GE Sridharan (volleyball), Jagminder Singh (wrestling). PTI