Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were honored with the Best Athlete Awards, male and female, respectively, at the Indian Athletics Awards ceremony. The awards were presented by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya at an event organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were recognized as the Best Emerging Athletes during the ceremony.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya praised the remarkable growth of Indian athletics in recent years, attributing it to the exceptional performances of athletes on the global stage. The awards aim to acknowledge the contributions of individuals and institutions driving this progress, strengthening India’s sports ecosystem.
The Indian Athletics Awards also honored prominent figures in Indian athletics with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Legendary athletes such as Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, P T Usha, and Anju Bobby George were recognized for their significant contributions to the sport over the years.
Neeraj Chopra expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the rapid progress of Indian athletics and the motivation it provides to excel further. Parul Chaudhary highlighted the importance of support from coaches, staff, and family in her athletic journey, aiming to inspire more young girls to pursue athletics.
Shahnawaz Khan and Pooja, named Best Emerging Athletes, shared their pride and gratitude for the recognition, expressing determination to continue improving. The awards ceremony also honored athletes like Sriram Singh, Charles Borromeo, Chand Ram, and Kamaljit Sandhu for their outstanding performances and contributions to Indian athletics.
