National Sports Awards 2020 Highlights: Ceremony Concludes With President Ram Nath Kovind's Speech
National Sports Awards 2020 was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, where President Ram Nath Kovind gave away the awards.
In a first, this year's National Sports Awards ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with most winners logging in from their respective places to hear their names being announced on August 29. The virtual ceremony was attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, among other dignitaries. The event began with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju's address, followed by the award ceremony to honour country's bright athletes and coaches and various organisation working to promote sports in the country. The names of this year's Khel Ratna Award recipients were called out first, followed by Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award, Dhyanchand Award. Some key names missing names missing from the awards ceremony were wrestler Vinesh Phogat and star Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma. While Vinesh Phigat skipped the award after testing positive for COVID-19, Rohit missed the cereminy because he is preparing for the IPL 2020 in the UAE.
- 12:17 (IST)Thank you for joining us! Goodbye!Thank you for tuning in to our live blog of National Sports Awards 2020 ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners. That's all from us... Till next time Tata!
- 12:03 (IST)India's aim to finish in Top 10 at the 2028 Olympics!President Kovind reiterates India's aim to finish in Top 10 at the 2028 Olympics.
- 12:02 (IST)COVDI-19 has affected sports events!President Kovind acknowledges how the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the sporting events across the country, even leading to the postponement of global events like Tokyo Olympics.
- 12:00 (IST)Three out of five Khel Ratna recipients are women athletes!He proudly points out that the three out of five Khel Ratna awardees were females, which shows that the country is taking the step in right direction.
- 11:58 (IST)President Ram Nath Kovind's address begins!President Ram Nath Kovid's is addressing the virtual awards ceremony. He begins by congratulating all the winners. He points out the immense talent that the country has needed to excel in the field of sports.
- 11:51 (IST)Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Purasakar!Lakshya Institute and ONGC, Air Force Sports Control Board and International Institute of Sports Management are among the recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Purasakar 2020.
- 11:47 (IST)Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy!Panjab University bags the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the year 2019.
- 11:44 (IST)Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award!Now it's time to honour the athletes for their courage and difficult adventure.
- 11:40 (IST)Netarpal Hooda and Nandal P Bal get Dhyanchand Award!Netarpal Hooda and Nandal P Bal have also received this year's Dhyanchand Award, which is given for the lifetime achievement.
- 11:33 (IST)Moving to Dhyanchand award!Kuldeep Singh Bhullar, Jincy Philips have received Dhyanchand award.
- 11:30 (IST)Arjuna Award recepients!Hockey player Akashdeep Singh has also been awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award.
- 11:29 (IST)Atanu Das, Dutte Chand get Arjuna Award!Archer Atanu Das, Sprinter Dutte Chand who won two silver medals in Asian Games have been awarded Arjuna Award.
- 11:27 (IST)Lovlina Borgohain, Sandesh Jhingan get Arjuna Award!Table tennis player Madhurika Patkar, boxer Lovlina Borgohain and Indian football team player Sandesh Jhingan have also won this year's Arjuna Award.
- 11:24 (IST)Arjuna Award recepients!Rahul Aware and Manish Kaushik have also won this year's Arjuna Award.
- 11:21 (IST)Arjuan Award to Manu Bhaker and Sourabh Chaudhary!Young Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sourabh Chaudhary have also been selected for the Arjuna Award.
- 11:18 (IST)Moving to Arjuna Award!Women cricketer Deepti Sharma's has been selected to Arjuna Award.
- 11:16 (IST)After Khel Ratna we move to Dronacharya award!After Khel Ratna award, the achievements of sports instructors who coached many international athletes is being read out. The recipients are:
- 11:12 (IST)Players' achievements being read out!We begin with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Currently players' achievements are being read out by the presenter. Mariyappan T, Rani Rampal and Manika Batra the three awardees are attending the ceremony virtually.
- 11:05 (IST)President has joined in the ceremony!President has joined in the ceremony and Union Sports Minister is currently addressing the virtual meet.
- 11:02 (IST)Hello and welcome!Hello and welcome to the live updates of National Sports And Adventure Awards Ceremony 2020.