Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2015 and Arjuna Awards 2015

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which award is to be given. Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years preceding the year of award. 

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committee headed by Mr. Justice V.K. Bali, former Chief Justice of Kerla High Court and consisting of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators. 

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has approved to confer Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards for 2015 upon the following sportspersons:

i)         Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2015

S. No.	Name of the sportsperson	Discipline
1	Ms. Sania Mirza	Tennis

(ii)        Arjuna Awards 2015

S. No.	Name of the sportsperson	Discipline
1	Naib Subedar Sandeep Kumar	Archery
2	Ms. M.R. Poovamma	Athletics
3	Mr. Kidambi Srikanth Nammalwar	Badminton
4	Mr. Mandeep Jangra	Boxing
5	Mr. Rohit Sharma	Cricket
6	Ms. Dipa Karmakar	Gymnastic
7	Mr. Sreejesh P.R.	Hockey
8	Mr. Manjeet Chhillar	Kabaddi
9	Ms. Abhilasha Shashikant Mhatre	Kabaddi
10	Mr. Sawarn Singh	Rowing
11	Mr. Anup Kumar Yama	Roller Skating
12	Mr. Jitu Rai	Shooting
13	Shri S. Sathish Kumar	Weightlifting
14	Mr. Bajrang	Wrestling
15	Ms. Babita Kumari	Wrestling
16	Ms. Yumnam Sanathoi Devi	Wushu
17	Mr. Sharath M. Gayakwad	Para-Swimming

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2015. 

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive medal, certificate and award money of Rs. 7.5 lakh and Arjuna Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs.5 lakh each.