Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 7 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the Mini Sports Complex in Bhati Vihar Colony, Gorakhpur, built at a cost of INR 596 lakh.

During the event, CM Yogi praised Paralympic athlete Praveen Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, who will be conferred with the Khel Ratna award. Highlighting the state government’s commitment to encouraging sports, he announced that over 500 players have been provided jobs in various departments.

‘Paralympic player Praveen Kumar from Uttar Pradesh will be given the Khel Ratna award. He has won a gold medal in the Olympics. In individual sports, we awarded INR 6 crore to the gold medalists, INR 4 crore to the silver medalists, and INR 2 crore to the bronze medalists. Till now, we have provided jobs in Uttar Pradesh Police and other departments to more than 500 players of Uttar Pradesh,’ CM Yogi said.

Indian para-athlete Praveen Kumar, after being nominated for the Khel Ratna award, expressed his gratitude, stating that it is a proud moment for him and a motivation to excel in upcoming tournaments.

In the T64 high jump event, Praveen Kumar set an Asian record with a jump of 2.08 m, securing India’s sixth gold medal at the competition. India concluded the Paralympic event with a total of seven gold medals, the highest in the nation’s history.

‘I am feeling very proud and motivated to perform better in the upcoming competitions. In the Paris Paralympics, I won the gold medal for the nation,’ Praveen Kumar said while speaking to ANI.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar will receive the prestigious Khel Ratna award.

Indian men’s hockey players Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete have been awarded Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in 2024. Indian chess grandmaster Vantika Agrawal and athlete Jyothi Yarraji are also among the recipients of Arjuna Awards.

Several para-athletes, including Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Deepthi, Ajeet Singh, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Dharambir, Pranav Soorma, Hokato Sema, Simran, and Navdeep, will also receive Arjuna Awards. Olympic medalists Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, along with para-shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis, have also been honored with the award.

Former Dempo FC and East Bengal head coach Armando Agnelo Colaco has been awarded the Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category.

The award ceremony will be held on January 17, 2025, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honors at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (ANI)