IN NEWS: Madhya Pradesh Announces Shikhar Sports Awards 2023
Introduction
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced the recipients of the State Level Apex (Shikhar) Sports Awards 2023, recognising excellence among athletes and coaches. The awards include 12 Vikram Awards, 11 Eklavya Awards, 3 Vishwamitra Awards, and 1 Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting the state’s continued focus on sports promotion and talent recognition.
ANALYSIS
Institutional Recognition of Sporting Excellence
The Shikhar Sports Awards serve as the highest level of state recognition for athletes and coaches in Madhya Pradesh. These awards aim to:
- Reward performance at national and international levels
- Encourage youth participation in sports
- Recognise contributions of coaches and mentors
👉 Acts as a policy instrument to incentivise sports culture.
Structured Multi-tier Award System
The awards are categorised to cover the entire sports ecosystem:
- Vikram Award → Senior athletes (elite performers)
- Eklavya Award → Junior athletes (future talent)
- Vishwamitra Award → Coaches (capacity builders)
- Lifetime Achievement Award → Long-term contributors
👉 Ensures holistic development of sports ecosystem from grassroots to elite level.
Focus on Inclusivity & Diversity in Sports
The awards cover a wide range of categories:
- Individual sports (shooting, wrestling, boxing, etc.)
- Team sports (hockey, kho-kho, softball)
- Para-sports category
- Traditional and adventure sports
👉 Reflects inclusive approach towards:
- Para-athletes
- Indigenous sports
- Emerging disciplines
Linkage with Employment & Incentives
A significant feature of the Vikram Award:
- Awardees are recognised as outstanding players
- Provision for government job appointments
👉 Highlights integration of sports performance with socio-economic security
Promotion of Youth Talent
Eklavya Award targets athletes below 21 years:
- Encourages early identification of talent
- Provides financial support and recognition
👉 Critical for building long-term competitive advantage in sports
Role of Coaches in Sports Development
Vishwamitra Award recognises:
- Coaches who nurture talent
- Contribution to training and mentoring systems
👉 Reinforces importance of human resource development in sports sector
Sports Policy Implications
- Encourages state-level competitiveness
- Aligns with India’s ambition to improve Olympic and international performance
- Strengthens sports governance at sub-national level
👉 However, effectiveness depends on:
- Transparent selection process
- Timely implementation of benefits
Static Part (As per Input)
Awards & Key Details
- Vikram Award
- Started: 1972
- Given to: Senior athletes (Olympics, Asian Games, National Games)
- Categories: Individual, team, para-sports, traditional, adventure
- Prize: ₹2,00,000 + memento
- Additional Benefit: Recognition as outstanding player + govt job opportunity
- Eklavya Award
- Started: 1996
- Given to: Players under 21 years
- Categories: Individual, team, para-sports, traditional, adventure
- Prize: ₹1,00,000 + memento
- Vishwamitra Award
- Started: 1995–96
- Given to: Coaches (2 individual + 1 team sport)
- Prize: ₹2,00,000 + memento
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Started: 2002
- Given to: Lifetime contribution to sports
- Prize: ₹2,00,000 + memento
- 2023 Recipient: Ratanlal Verma (Gymnastics, Ujjain)
Total Awards (2023)
- 12 Vikram Awards
- 11 Eklavya Awards
- 3 Vishwamitra Awards
- 1 Lifetime Achievement Award
Notable Awardees (Examples from Input)
- Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar (Shooting)
- Sachin Bhargo (Kho-Kho)
- Rubina Francis (Para Shooting)
- Bhawna Dehariya (Mountaineering)
Updated – 20 April 2026 ; 04:40 AM | News Source –Bhaskar English