Ministry issues norms for awarding Khel Ratna, Dronacharya

With an aim to avoid controversy on giving away sports awards, the government decided to grant 90 per cent weightage to medal winners of Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games and World Cup/World Championships held once in four years for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards.

The Sports Ministry said in a release said that the weightage will be given by the selection committee for assessment of the eligible sportsperson/coach, keeping in view factors like profile and standard of sports event in which the medal has been won.

Last month, the Sports Ministry had approved similar criteria for conferring Arjuna Awards.

The Ministry also issued guidelines on awarding coaches under whom the medal winning sportspersons got training.

"Marking criteria will not apply for the two awards to be given for lifetime contribution in coaching. Selection committee will give its recommendations for such two coaches taking into consideration the contribution made by them over a period of 20 years or more in terms of producing outstanding sportspersons," the release stated.

"The criteria include marks for assessment for contribution made for promotion of sports after retirement for active sports career and for qualities like sportsmanship, leadership and sense of discipline.

"Except for life-time achievement awards, points for winning medals will be given to each eligible sportsperson for his/her performance during the last four years. Equivalence of any other sports discipline/tournament will be decided by the selection committee and the points will be allotted accordingly," the release added.

For cricket and indigenous games, not included in Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games, the selection committee will take into consideration the individuals performances/contribution of the sportspersons/coaches.

In a particular sports discipline, names of not more than two sportspersons (one male and one female) and names of not more than two coaches in case of Dronacharya award with highest marks as per the criteria, will be considered by the selection committee.

If the selection committee feel that as per the given criteria, a very deserving sportsperson may not get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Dhyan Chand award, in such a scenario it might recommend such name giving full justification in writing and then place that along with other recommendations before the Sports Minister for the final decision.

The Sports Ministry has also decided to include sports journalists/experts/commentators in the selection committees for the sports awards.