Indian athletics celebrated a landmark occasion on Saturday as the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) hosted the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards, recognising
the country's top performers and contributors to the sport.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary emerged as the biggest winners of the evening, claiming the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete awards respectively.
The glittering ceremony also saw Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja being named the Best Emerging Athletes in the men's and women's categories. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented the awards in the presence of several distinguished guests, including World Athletics Vice President Adille J. Sumariwalla, Sri Lanka Athletics President Korottage Bimal Prasanna, Mohamed Tholal and the Sports Commissioner of Maldives.
"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 honoured some of the most iconic names in Indian athletics, with P T Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa and Bahadur Singh Chauhan receiving the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo underlined the significance of the initiative. "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.
Expressing his delight after receiving the award, Neeraj Chopra said, "This is a special honour to be recognised 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. This award motivates me to strive for excellence and contribute to the sport. "
Parul Chaudhary said the recognition was particularly meaningful. "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. "
Shahnavaz Khan described the award as a major source of encouragement. "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 added, "Being acknowledged at a national platform like this is very encouraging. I will continue working hard to make the country proud in the years ahead. "
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient P T Usha 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 said, "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. "
The awards ceremony brought together some of India's most celebrated athletics personalities, including Sriram Singh, Charles Borromeo, Chand Ram and Kamaljit Sandhu, along with coaches, officials and administrators. Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary received Rs 10 lakh each, while Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were awarded Rs 2.5 lakh each. The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients received Rs 5 lakh each.
**Award Winners**
* 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 - Shahnavaz 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)
