New Delhi, Jan 4 (FN Agency) Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, will be conferred with Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2023 for ‘Identification and nurturing of budding/young talent’, Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced on Thursday. Odisha Mining Corporate Ltd (OMC) is the other recipient of the award in ‘Encouragement to sports through Corporate Social Responsibility’ category. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized functionat Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, the official sources said.‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar’ is given to corporate entities (both in private and public sector), Sports Control Boards, NGOs, including sports bodies at the State and National level, who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.
The applications were invited online and sportspersons/coaches/entities were permitted to self-apply through a dedicated Online Portal. A large number of applications/nominations were received for this award in 2023, which were placed before the Selection Committee headed by Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary (Sports), GoI and consisting members from previous awardees, industry association, sports journalist/Experts/Commentators, Secretary (Sports) of State Government, Indian Olympic Association and Non-Governmental Orgarnization, active in sports. The six core awards which constitute India’s National Sports Awards are the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award or simply the Khel Ratna, the Arjuna Award, the Dronacharya Award, the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, also called the MAKA Trophy, and the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.