Sports ministry seeks applications for Arjuna awards through email

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 4

The sports ministry has finally taken a decision on how to seek applications for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.

On Monday the ministry has asked all the eligible sportspersons to email their applications to sports ministry. The last date for sending applications has been set for June 3, 2020. The nomination process for this year was delayed due to the lockdown imposed by the Government of India due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Every year the President of India honours sportspersons on August 29, which is celebrated as the National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.

“The nominations of the eligible sportspersons for the award must be e-mailed in the prescribed proforma to any of the following (e-mail – spstomar@nic.in) . Last date for receipt of nominations is 03rd June, 2020 (Wednesday) up to 11.59 P.M. Nominations received after last date will not be entertained. The Ministry will not be responsible for any delay,” sports ministry said in a statement.

“Due to lockdown on account of outbreak of COVID-19, hard copies of nominations are not required to be sent. Scanned copies of the nominations duly signed by the applicant and recommending authority may be sent at above mentioned email ids, before last date of submission. Newspaper clippings etc. need not be attached with application forms,” the statement added.

Interestingly, the ministry has authorised the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to make nominations for de-recognised or suspended sports federations.

“For the NSFs de-recognised or under suspension, Sports Authority of India (SAl) will exercise the quota of nominations and make nominations up to a maximum of two eligible sportspersons for each sports discipline with the approval of Director General, SAI.”