Dhyan Chand Award First Winner
The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games was introduced in 2002 to honor former athletes for their outstanding contributions to Indian sports. The Dhyan Chand Award is named after Major Dhyan Chand, India’s greatest hockey player, and is given to retired athletes for their lifetime contributions to sports.The first recipients of this prestigious award were:
1. Shahuraj Birajdar (Boxing)
- A national champion boxer and one of India’s finest boxing coaches.
- Played a crucial role in nurturing young boxing talent in India.
2. Ashok Diwan (Hockey)
- A former Indian hockey player, known for his contributions to the sport.
- Played as a goalkeeper and later worked to promote hockey in India.
3. Aparna Ghosh (Basketball)
- A legendary Indian basketball player who represented India at international tournaments.
- Contributed to the growth of women’s basketball in India through coaching and mentoring.