The 2024 honorees represent the pinnacle of excellence in their respective sports, bringing pride and inspiration to the nation.

National Sports Awards 2024: In a prestigious ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, January 17, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor, on four exceptional athletes.

Double Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker and teenage chess prodigy and world champion D Gukesh were among the distinguished recipients. They were joined by men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold-medalist high jumper Praveen Kumar, who also received the coveted award.

The National Sports Awards are determined annually using a points-based system, with the greatest weight given to performances in the Olympics and World Championships. The 2024 honorees represent the pinnacle of excellence in their respective sports, bringing pride and inspiration to the nation.

National Sports Awards 2024: