Sports in News — National Games, Sports Awards & Laureus
1. National Games 2025
CONTEXT
- The 2025 National Games of India, also known as the 38th National Games of India and informally as the Uttarakhand 2025, were held in the state of Uttarakhand from 28 January to 14 February.
ABOUT NATIONAL GAMES
- Nature: Olympic-style multi-sport event where athletes from states, UTs & Services compete.
- 2025 Edition: Featured 35 sports: 33 medal events and 2 demonstrative (Kalrayipattu and Rafting), and included non-Olympic ones like kabaddi, kho kho & mallakhamb.
- Mascot: “Mauli”
- Motto: “Sankalp se Shikhar tak” (From Determination to the Peak).
HISTORY
- Started in 1924 as ‘All India Olympic Games’, renamed ‘National Games’ in 1940.
- First host: Lahore (Un-divided India)
- 1930: Allahabad (Prayagraj)
- 1948: Lucknow (After Independence)
- Revamp: Modeled after the Olympics since 1985, attracting 5000+ athletes per edition.
- Significance: Serves as a talent pipeline for international events like CWG, Asian Games & Olympics.
2. National Sports Awards
- Presented by: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India
- Purpose: To honor outstanding contributions in the field of sports and adventure
- Occasion: Announced annually.
- Presented on: August 29 (National Sports Day), marking Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary
- Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- Presented by: President of India [UPSC 2023]
NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS — CATEGORIES
| Award | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (established in 1991-1992) | India's highest sporting honour, for exceptional performance over four years |
| Arjuna Award (established in 1961) | For consistent excellence in sports over four years |
| Dronacharya Award (established in 1985) | For outstanding coaches who have produced international medal winners |
| Major Dhyan Chand Award (since 2002) | Lifetime achievement award in sports |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy (established in 1956-1957) | Given to the best-performing university in inter-university sports tournaments |
| Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (formally included since 2004) | Recognizes achievements in adventure sports |
| Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (since 2009) | For organisations/individuals promoting sports over the last three years |
NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2024 — RECIPIENTS
| Award | Recipients |
|---|---|
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Gukesh D (Chess), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey), Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics), Manu Bhaker (Shooting) |
| Arjuna Award | Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani (Athletics); Nitu (Boxing); Rakesh Kumar (Para-Archery); Navdeep (Para-Athletics); and others |
| Arjuna Award (Lifetime Category) | Sucha Singh (Athletics), Murlikant Rajaram Petkar (Para-Swimming) |
| Dronacharya Award (Regular Category) | Subhash Rana (Para-Shooting), Deepali Deshpande (Shooting), S. Sangwan (Hockey) |
| Dronacharya Award (Lifetime) | S. Murliharan (Badminton), Armando Agnelo Colaco (Football) |
| Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar | Physical Education Foundation of India |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy | Chandigarh University (Overall Winner) |
KEY FACT
- Legendary Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Council (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris.
- The Olympic Order, established in 1975, is the highest honour bestowed by the IOC, recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement.
3. Laureus World Sports Awards
ABOUT LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS [UPSC 2021]
- Established in 1999 and first held in 2000, are an annual global event honoring the greatest sporting achievements and the work of Laureus Sport for Good.
- Winners selected by: The Laureus World Sports Academy, from shortlists created by 1,000+ global sports media professionals.
- American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. [UPSC 2021]
- Often referred to as the sporting equivalent of the Oscars.
- Serena Williams holds the record for winning the most awards by a female.
- Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic hold the record for winning the most awards.
- Discretionary awards include: Lifetime Achievement, Sport for Good, Spirit of Sport, Exceptional Achievement, and Sporting Inspiration Awards.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024 CEREMONY
- Held in: Madrid, Spain
- Presented by: Legends like Tom Brady (to Djokovic) and Usain Bolt (to Bonmatí)
- Organized by: Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
| Category | Winner / Details |
|---|---|
| World Sportsman of the Year | Novak Djokovic (Tennis) – 5th win; equals Roger Federer's record |
| World Sportswoman of the Year | Aitana Bonmatí (Football) – First female footballer to win this award |
| Comeback of the Year | Simone Biles (Gymnastics) – Most decorated gymnast in history (41 medals) |
| Breakthrough of the Year | Jude Bellingham (Football) – Real Madrid & England midfielder |
| Team of the Year | Spain Women's Football Team |
| Action Sportsperson of the Year | Arisa Trew |
| Sportsperson with a Disability | Diede de Groot |
| Sport for Good Award | Fundación Rafa Nadal |
4. Summary: National Games, Sports Awards & Laureus at a Glance
| Event / Award | Year / Edition | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| National Games | 2025 (38th) | Uttarakhand; 35 sports; Mascot: Mauli; Motto: "Sankalp se Shikhar tak" |
| First National Games | 1924 | Lahore (Un-divided India); named 'All India Olympic Games' |
| National Sports Awards Presented | August 29 | National Sports Day; President of India presents |
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Est. 1991-92 | India's highest sporting honour |
| Arjuna Award | Est. 1961 | Consistent excellence over four years |
| Olympic Order | Est. 1975 | Highest IOC honour; Abhinav Bindra received in 2024 |
| Laureus Awards | Est. 1999 | Sporting equivalent of Oscars; Tiger Woods first winner |
| Laureus 2024 Sportsman | 2024 | Novak Djokovic (5th win) |
| Laureus 2024 Sportswoman | 2024 | Aitana Bonmatí (First female footballer) |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- National Games 2025: 38th edition; Uttarakhand; Mauli mascot; "Sankalp se Shikhar tak"
- National Games History: Started 1924 as 'All India Olympic Games'; Lahore first host
- National Sports Awards: Presented by President on Aug 29 (National Sports Day)
- Khel Ratna: India's highest sporting honour (est. 1991-92)
- Arjuna Award: Consistent excellence (est. 1961)
- Dronacharya Award: Outstanding coaches (est. 1985)
- Olympic Order: Highest IOC honour; Abhinav Bindra (2024)
- Laureus Awards: Sporting Oscars (est. 1999); Tiger Woods first winner
- Laureus 2024: Djokovic (Sportsman), Bonmatí (Sportswoman), Spain Women's Football (Team)
- MAKA Trophy: Best university in inter-university sports; Chandigarh University (2024)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (National Games, Sports Awards & Laureus)
Q1. The 38th National Games of India (2025) were held in which state?
Correct Answer: B. The 38th National Games of India (2025), informally known as Uttarakhand 2025, were held in Uttarakhand from 28 January to 14 February.
Q2. What was the motto of the 2025 National Games?
Correct Answer: C. The motto of the 2025 National Games was "Sankalp se Shikhar tak" (From Determination to the Peak).
Q3. The National Sports Awards are presented on which day?
Correct Answer: C. The National Sports Awards are presented on August 29, which is National Sports Day, marking Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary.
Q4. Who presents the National Sports Awards?
Correct Answer: B. The National Sports Awards are presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. [UPSC 2023]
Q5. The Olympic Order was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Olympic Order was established in 1975 and is the highest honour bestowed by the IOC.
Q6. Who was the first winner of the Laureus World Sports Awards?
Correct Answer: B. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of the Laureus World Sports Awards. [UPSC 2021]
Q7. Who won the World Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards 2024?
Correct Answer: B. Novak Djokovic won the World Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards 2024, his 5th win, equalling Roger Federer's record.
Q8. The Laureus Awards 2024 were held in which city?
Correct Answer: C. The Laureus Awards 2024 were held in Madrid, Spain.
Q9. The MAKA Trophy is awarded for best performance in which category?
Correct Answer: C. The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is given to the best-performing university in inter-university sports tournaments.
Q10. The National Games were originally started in 1924 as:
Correct Answer: C. The National Games started in 1924 as 'All India Olympic Games' and were renamed 'National Games' in 1940.