Sports Ministry approves names for Dronacharya Award

Wrestling coach Anoop Singh and Paralympics coach Naval Singh were among the five names officially approved by the Sports Ministry for the prestigious Dronacharya Award this year.

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, Anoop and Naval’s names were approved on the basis of current performance (2011-2014), while Nihar Amin (swimming), S. R. Singh (boxing) and Harbans Singh (athletics) were selected in the ‘Lifetime Achievement Category’ in which achievements over a period of 20 years is taken into account.

The award, instituted in 1985, is given to honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and enabled them to achieve outstanding results in international competitions.

Three-time national champion and international wrestler, Anoop has guided top grapplers such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Satyawart Kadian, Bajrang, Amit Dahiya, and around 58 wrestlers to achieve their dream. Romeo James (hockey), Shiv Prakash Mishra (tennis) and TPP Nair’s (volleyball) names were approved for the Dhyan Chand Award.

For Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, Directorate General of Military Training was selected in ‘identification and nurturing of budding/young talent’ category, while Coal India Limited has been nominated in ‘encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility’ category. Sports Coaching Foundation, Hyderabad has been in ‘sports for development’ category.

Dronacharya awardees and Dhyan Chand awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs. 5 lakh each. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar awardees will receive certificates and trophies.

The awards are to be given away by President Pranab Mukherjee on August 29, National Sports Day.