First Arjuna Award Winner
The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievements in sports and encourage excellence among Indian athletes. The award includes a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a certificate, and a cash prize.
First Arjuna Award Winners (1961)
In the inaugural year, a total of 20 sportspersons from various disciplines received the Arjuna Award. Here are some of the notable first winners:
Cricket:
- Salim Durani – A left-handed all-rounder known for his powerful hitting and left-arm spin bowling. He was the first cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award. arjuna awards cricket
Hockey:
- Balbir Singh Dosanjh – A legendary hockey player who played a crucial role in India’s Olympic gold medals in 1948, 1952, and 1956.
- Shankar Laxman – A famous goalkeeper who represented India in multiple international tournaments.
Football:
- PK Banerjee – A key member of the Indian football team and one of the greatest Indian footballers, who contributed to India’s gold medal victory at the 1962 Asian Games.
Badminton:
- Nandu Natekar – One of India’s earliest badminton champions and a trailblazer in Indian badminton history.
Athletics:
- Gurbachan Singh Randhawa – A track and field athlete who later represented India in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in hurdles and decathlon.
- Sarita Saha – A leading female track and field athlete from India.
Wrestling:
- Udey Chand – A freestyle wrestler who won India’s first wrestling medal at the World Championships.
Swimming:
- Wilson Jones – A billiards and snooker player who later became a World Billiards Champion.
Other Sports:
The Arjuna Awards were given across multiple sports, including boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, and more, recognizing India’s top athletes from different disciplines. Arjuna Award Prize Money