PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand government has invited applications for its 2025 State-level Sports award. Sports minister Rekha Arya has urged eligible athletes and coaches from the State to apply for the awards by July 14.
The eligible candidates can apply for the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Khel Ratna Award, Himalaya Ratna Sports Award, Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Dronacharya Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Arya stated that the Khel Ratna and Himalaya Ratna awards will be based on players’ achievements during the calendar year 2025. It is mandatory for nominees to have represented Uttarakhand in national competitions. Additionally, players who have been part of the Indian team in international competitions must have represented Uttarakhand before being selected. She further added that the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Dronacharya Award will be awarded based on the achievements of the players trained by the coach over the past three years. For the Lifetime Achievement Award, the accomplishments of the ten best players trained by the coach will be evaluated.
Achievements recognized for these awards will include performances in the Olympics, World Cup and World Championship, among others. Interested players and coaches must submit their applications to the Director of Sports’ along with their educational and sports certificates, a permanent residence certificate of Uttarakhand and the recommendation of the concerned State Sports Association, all attached to the application form.
Additionally, athletes and coaches applying for the awards must provide an affidavit stating that they have never engaged in doping, have not been convicted by a court of law and have not been found guilty of sexual harassment, she said.
