National Sports Awards function delayed due to THIS reason

The awards -- the Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Award -- are given away each year by the country's president on August 29, the National Sports Day which is also the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. 

New Delhi: The National Sports Awards function, which is held on August 29 every year, has been pushed back since the government wants the selection panel to consider the performances of the para athletes competing in the Tokyo Paralympics. The Paralympics will held from August 24 and conclude on September 5. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the selection panel for picking the award winners has been formed but they would prefer to wait for some more time before going ahead with the selection process. "National sports award committee has been formed for this year but Paralympics are yet to be held so we want to add winners from paralympic also. I hope and wish they will perform really well," Thakur said during the National Youth Awards function. The awards -- the Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Award -- are given away each year by the country's president on August 29, the National Sports Day which is also the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.