Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were named Best Male and Female Athletes at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards, while P.T. Usha and Anju Bobby George received Lifetime Achievement honours.
Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary crowned Best Athletes at Indian Athletics Awards in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo credit: IANS
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and steeplechase star Parul Chaudhary were named the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete, respectively, at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards held on Saturday evening.
The awards, instituted by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), celebrated excellence across the country’s athletics ecosystem. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented the honours in the presence of several distinguished guests and leading figures from Indian athletics.
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Shahnawaz Khan and Pooja were recognised as the Best Emerging Male and Female Athletes, respectively, at the glittering ceremony.
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Among the dignitaries in attendance were World Athletics Vice President Adille J. Sumariwalla, Sri Lanka Athletics President Korottage Bimal Prasanna, and Maldives Sports Commissioner Mohamed Tholal.
“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. These awards will further strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem,” Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said.
The evening also paid tribute to some of the sport’s most influential personalities, with legendary athletes Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, P.T. Usha and Anju Bobby George receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards for their extraordinary contributions to Indian athletics.
AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo described the awards as an important platform to recognise every stakeholder contributing to the growth of the sport.
“From athletes and coaches to technical officials, every stakeholder plays a vital role in our journey. These awards will serve as a prestigious honour in Indian athletics,” he said.
Receiving the Best Male Athlete award, Neeraj Chopra highlighted the rapid rise of Indian athletics and the emergence of new talent on the international stage.
“Indian athletics is progressing rapidly, and every year we are seeing new talent emerge and perform on the global stage. This award motivates me to strive for excellence and contribute to the sport,” he said.
Parul Chaudhary said the recognition was especially meaningful given the dedication required to succeed in athletics.
“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 and pursue their dreams,” she said.
Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were awarded Rs 10 lakh each, while emerging athletes Shahnawaz Khan and Pooja received Rs 2.5 lakh each. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards were honoured with Rs 5 lakh apiece.
Shahnawaz Khan described the award as a major source of motivation.
“This is a proud moment and comes as a huge motivation. It encourages me to work harder and continue improving as an athlete. I am grateful to my coaches, family and everyone who has supported me on this journey,” he said.
Pooja said the recognition had boosted her confidence and inspired her to aim higher.
“Being acknowledged on a national platform like this is very encouraging. I will continue working hard to make the country proud in the years ahead,” she said.
P.T. Usha, one of the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, said athletics had shaped her life and expressed delight at the progress made by Indian athletes.
“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,” she said.
Anju Bobby George echoed similar sentiments, praising the growth of the sport in the country.
“Indian athletics has come a long way. It is heartening to see the sport receiving the attention it deserves. I accept this honour on behalf of everyone who has contributed to my journey. I hope the next generation continues to dream big. I believe our athletes can compete with the world’s best,” she said.
The ceremony brought together some of India’s biggest athletics stars, including Sriram Singh, Charles Borromeo, Chand Ram and Kamaljit Sandhu, along with coaches, officials and administrators. The event celebrated not only the standout performers of the 2025 season but also those who helped shape Indian athletics over previous generations.
AFI also presented awards in several other categories, including Best Coach of the Year, Best State Association of the Year, Best Technical Official of the Year, Best State Supporting Athletics, Organisation Supporting Athletics, and Partner Supporting Athletics.
* Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025 – Neeraj Chopra (Rs. 10,00,000)
* Best Female Athlete of the Year 2025 – Parul Chaudhary (Rs. 10,00,000)
* Best Emerging Male Athlete 2025 – Shahnawaz Khan (Rs. 2,50,000)
* Best Emerging Female Athlete 2025 – Pooja (Rs. 2,50,000)
* Lifetime Achievement Athletics Award – P T Usha (Rs. 5,00,000)
* Lifetime Achievement Athletics Award – Gurbachan Singh Randhawa (Rs. 5,00,000)
* Lifetime Achievement Athletics Award – Anju Bobby George (Rs. 5,00,000)
* Lifetime Achievement Athletics Award – Bahadur Singh Chauhan (Rs. 5,00,000)
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