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National Sports Award of India: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award History, Winners
Sports Award of India: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, history, Winner, List
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in sport and game is the highest rank National sports award of India. The award is named after late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award established in 1991 for the motive of appreciating and morale-boosting of sportspersons of India.
The award conferred annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It is carried a cash prize of Rs 5 Lakhs, the cash part has been increased to Rs 7.5 from 2005, along with a medal and a certificate.
Key Fact highlight for the Winners of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award:
Vishwanathan Anand was the first person to receive Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 1991-92, he is the only chess players, has been awarded this award so far.
Recent most awardee of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in the year 2016 is P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik won the silver and bronze medal respectively at Rio Olympics.
Jittu Rai and Dipa Karmakar were also selected for this award due to their all-rounder performance in Rio Olympics in 2016.
Only two cricketers have received this award so for- Sachin Tendulkar in 1997-98 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2007-08.
Pankaj Advani is the only recipient who won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for two different sports Billiards and Snooker.
Karnam Malleswari who belonging to weightlifting game, was the first women conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in the year 1995-96.
Dhanraj Pillay only one honkey Player who received Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award so far- in the year 1999-2000.
