New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Sports Awards 2021 at an event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, veteran woman cricketer Mithali Raj and history-making Paralympic stars received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, which was among the first awards handed out in the evening. In a glittering function organised at the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President recognised the country’s unparalleled Olympic and Paralympic performances.
The event became an in-person affair this time after going online the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was present at the ceremony along with a host of other dignitaries, including his predecessor Kiren Rijiju.
