World · India Bureau
Seventeen athletes awarded Arjun Prize; no cricketers on 2025 honours list
India's Ministry of Sports has announced the National Sports Awards for 2025, honouring outstanding athletes, coaches and sports administrators across various disciplines. The selection process was overseen by a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra.
LSN India ·
The Ministry of Sports has unveiled the recipients of the 2025 National Sports Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to Indian athletics across multiple sporting disciplines. Among the honours, seventeen athletes have been selected to receive the prestigious Arjun Award, the nation's second-highest sporting honour recognising performance excellence.
Notably, the 2025 list contains no cricketers among the Arjun Award recipients, marking a significant shift from previous years when the sport has frequently featured prominently in national sports honours. The selection reflects recognition of achievements in diverse sporting fields beyond the traditionally high-profile disciplines.
The awards have been announced based on recommendations from a selection committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra. The panel evaluated nominations across various sports disciplines, assessing athletes and coaches based on their competitive performance, consistency and contribution to their respective sports.
The National Sports Awards recognise excellence at multiple levels, with the Arjun Award acknowledging athletes who have demonstrated outstanding performance and sportsmanship. The selection process aims to encourage emerging and established talent across India's sporting spectrum, promoting development beyond mainstream cricket.