Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award

MUMBAI: The Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards for the year 2023–24 were announced today by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Dattatray Bharane at the Mantralaya.
Former national kabaddi player and organizer Shakuntala Khatavkar will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Paralympic medalist Sachin Khilari, world archery champions Aditi Swami and Ojas Deotale, along with cricketers Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be honored with the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Direct Award. A total of 89 awards were announced today.
The award ceremony will be held on Friday, April 18 at 11.00 am at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mhalunge-Balewadi, Pune. The awards will be presented by the Governor, C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The event will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Sports Minister Dattatray Bharane, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Dr. Neelam Gorhe, and Minister of State Madhuri Misal, among other dignitaries. Additional Chief Secretary Anil Diggikar and Sports Commissioner Hiralal Sonawane will also be present.
Sports Joint Director Sudhir More shared that the awards for the years 2022–23 and 2023–24 are being organized together.
Today in Mumbai, along with the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Lifetime Achievement Award, the Jijamata Award for Best Sports Coach, the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award for Athletes, the Shiv Chhatrapati State Adventure Sports Award, and the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award for Para-Athletes were announced — totaling 89 awards. Eighteen athletes will be honored with Direct Awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award includes a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a memento, while the Shiv Chhatrapati Award includes ₹3 lakh and a memento.
Following the announcement, Minister Bharane stated that the tradition of the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards was established to preserve and promote the state’s rich sporting culture and to honour the outstanding contributions of sports legends, coaches, and athletes. A grand ceremony will be held in Pune to present the awards.
The Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded since 2001.
This year, for the first time, a female athlete — Shakuntala Khatavkar — has been selected for this honor. From 1979 to 1982, Khatavkar set a record by participating in 106 national kabaddi matches. She led Maharashtra to victory in national competitions eight times. She currently serves as Vice President of the Maharashtra State and Pune District Kabaddi Association. In 1978, she was honored with the Arjuna Award by the Central Government.