Chopra and Chaudhary Honored at Inaugural Ceremony
Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were crowned the Best Athletes in the male and female categories, respectively, at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards held on Saturday evening in New Delhi. The event, organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), celebrated outstanding achievements in Indian athletics over the past season.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya presented the awards at a glittering ceremony attended by dignitaries including World Athletics Vice President Adille J Sumariwalla, Korottage Bimal Prasanna (President, Sri Lanka Athletics), and Mohamed Tholal (Sports Commissioner of Maldives).
Cash Prizes and Emerging Talent Recognized
Chopra and Chaudhary each received a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. The Best Emerging Athlete awards went to Shahnavaz Khan (male) and Pooja (female), who were awarded Rs 2.50 lakh each. The ceremony also honored four legendary athletes with Lifetime Achievement Awards: P T Usha, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Anju Bobby George, and Bahadur Singh Chauhan, each receiving Rs 5 lakh.
According to a release, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated: "Indian athletics has witnessed unprecedented growth over the last decade, with our athletes delivering world-class performances on the biggest stages. The Indian Athletics Awards are a fitting tribute to the individuals and institutions driving this progress."
Lifetime Achievement Awards for Legendary Athletes
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients included some of India's most iconic athletes. P T Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medalist, said: "Athletics has given me everything in life and I feel deeply humbled. Over the years, I have witnessed the tremendous evolution of Indian Athletics, and I am delighted to see young athletes achieving success at the highest levels."
Anju Bobby George, the first Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships, commented: "Indian Athletics has come a long way. It is heartening to see the sport receiving the attention it deserves. I hope the next generation continues to dream big." Other Lifetime Achievement Awardees included Gurbachan Singh Randhawa (Asian Games gold medalist in decathlon) and Bahadur Singh Chauhan (former Asian Games shot put champion).
Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary Express Gratitude
Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, said: "This is a special honour to be recognized among so many outstanding athletes from our country. Indian athletics is progressing rapidly and every year we are seeing new talent emerge and perform on the global stage."
Parul Chaudhary, who has excelled in long-distance events, added: "Athletics is a sport that demands patience, discipline and perseverance every single day. I am grateful to my coaches, support staff and family for their constant support. I hope my journey encourages more young girls to take up athletics."
Emerging Athletes Share Their Joy
Shahnavaz Khan expressed pride in his achievement: "This is a proud moment and comes as a huge motivation. It encourages me to work harder and continue improving as an athlete." Pooja noted: "This recognition gives me confidence and inspires me to aim higher. Being acknowledged at a national platform like this is very encouraging."
AFI Announces Multiple Award Categories
AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo emphasized the importance of the awards: "The Indian Athletics Awards are a platform to celebrate excellence and recognize the individuals who contribute to the success of Indian athletics. From athletes and coaches to technical officials, every stakeholder plays a vital role."
The ceremony also presented awards in other categories including Best Coach of the Year, Best State Association of the Year, Best Technical Official of the Year, Best State Supporting Athletics, Organization Supporting Athletics, and Partner Supporting Athletics. The event brought together stars like Sriram Singh, Charles Borromeo, Chand Ram, and Kamaljit Sandhu, along with coaches and administrators, to celebrate performers from the 2025 season and earlier eras.
