Mahendra Singh Dhoni became only the second cricketer, a decade after Sachin Tendulkar, to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award as he was conferred the country’s highest sporting honour at a glittering function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Friday.

The Indian ODI captain, however, could not attend the function as he was leading the team in the fifth and final match of the One-day series against Sri Lanka, which India has already won. His father Paan Singh received the award on his behalf. President Pratibha Patil presented Rs 500,000, a scroll of honour and a medal in recognition to his spectacular and most outstanding performance in sports.

Apart from the 27-year-old Dhoni, it was also a red letter day for 11 other sportspersons, who were bestowed Arjuna Awards at a packed Ashok Hall which reverberated with thunderous applause. Olympian shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu, veteran hockey forward Prabhjot Singh, and Beijing Olympic quarterfinalist rower Bajranglal Takhar were among those who were honoured with the Arjuna awards at the magnificent ceremony.

World junior champion in women’s chess D Harika, ace golfer Arjun Atwal and powerlifter Ferman Basha could not make it to the award function. Harika’s sister Anusha, Atwal’s father Harminder and Basha’s wife Andorita received the awards on the behalf of the respective sportspersons. Once again none of the men cricketers featured in list of Arjuna awardees’ since Harbhajan Singh won it in 2003.

The Arjuna Award, country’s oldest sports honour, was started in 1961 and comprises a cheque of Rs 300,000, a statuette of legendary archer Arjuna and a scroll of honour in recognition of outstanding achievements at international competitions. Dhoni, in his first stint as Indian captain, led the team to Twenty20 World Cup win in its inaugural edition staged in South Africa.

Dhoni once again proved his leadership skills by leading India to an unprecendented One-day tri-series win in Australia, giving the world champions a wake up call. Judoka Tombi Devi said it was a great feeling to win the honour despite lack of enough support system.
Coaches Sanjeeva Kumar Singh (archery), Jagdish Singh (boxing), GE Sridharan (volleyball), Jagminder Singh (wrestling) received the Dronacharya awards. Coach Jagdish said he had put in a lot of effort in shaping up the Bhiwani boxers and feels proud of their achievement in the Olympic Games.

Punjabi University, Patiala won the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy after Guru Nanak University of Amritsar claimed the honour for 21 times till last year. The MAKA trophy carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a rolling trophy.

KHEL RATNA AWARD:

MS Dhoni.

ARJUNA AWARDS:

Chitra K Soman (athletics), Anup Sridhar (badminton), Johnson Varghese (boxing), Harika Dronavalli (chess), Arjun Atwal (golf), Prabhjot Singh (hockey ), Tombi Devi (judo), Bajranglal Takhar (rowing), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (shooting), Alka Tomar (wrestling), Farman Basha (power lifting, disabled category).

DHYAN CHAND AWARDS:

Hakam Singh (athletics), Mukhbain Singh (hockey ), Gian Singh (wrestling).

Dronacharya Awards:

Sanjeeva Kumar Singh (archery), Jagdish Singh (boxing), GE Sridharan (volleyball),Jagminder Singh (wrestling).