RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD (1991-2013)

RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (RGKR) is India’s highest honour given for achievement in sports. The words "Khel Ratna" literally mean "sports gem" in Hindi. The award is named after the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. It carries a medal, a scroll of honour and a substantial cash component. Up to 2004–05, the cash component was Rs. 500,000/- . The money has been increased from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 750,000. The award was instituted in the year 1991–92 to supply the lack of a supreme national tribute in the field of sports.

Award Information

Type                             Civilian

Category                       Sports (Individual / Team)

Description                   Highest sports honour in India

Instituted                       1991–1992

First awarded                1991–1992

Awarded by                  Government of India

Cash award                  750,000

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners (1991-2013)

        Year                     Awardees                                                         Discipline

1991-92                         Viswanathan Anand                                           Chess

1992-93                         Geet Sethi                                                         Billiards

1993-94                         Nil                                                                    Nil

1994-95                         Cdr. Homi D. Motivala                                        Yachting

                                    Lt. Cdr. P. K. Garg                                             Yachting

1995-96                         Karnam Malleswari                                             Weightlifting

1996-97                         Leander Paes                                                    Tennis

                                    Nameirakpam Kunjarani                                      Weightlifting

1997-98                         Sachin Tendulkar                                               Cricket

1998-99                         Jyotirmoyee Sikdar                                            Athletics

1999-2000                     Dhanraj Pillay                                                    Hockey

2000-01                         Pullela Gopichand                                              Badminton

2001-02                         Abhinav Bindra                                                  Shooting

2002-03                         K. M. Beenamol                                                 Athletics

                                    Anjali Ved Pathak Bhagwat                                 Shooting

2003-04                         Anju Bobby George                                            Athletics

2004-05                         Lt. Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore                    Shooting

2005-06                         Pankaj Advani                                                   Billiards & Snooker

2006-07                         Manavjit Singh Sandhu                                       Shooting

2007-08                         Mahendra Singh Dhoni                                       Cricket

2008-09                         Ms. M.C. Mary Kom                                           Boxing

                                    Mr. Vijender Singh                                             Boxing

                                    Mr. Sushil Kumar                                               Wrestling

2009-10                         Ms. Saina Nehwal                                              Badminaton

2010-11                         Mr. Gagan Narang                                              Shooting

2011-12                         Mr. Vijay Kumar                                                 Shooting

2011-12                         Mr. Yogeshwar Dutt                                           Wrestling

2013                             Mr. Ronjon Sodhi                                              Shooting