"Promise to continue delivering best moves on 64 squares...": World Chess Champion Gukesh on being awarded Khel Ratna

New Delhi [India], January 2 (ANI): World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who has been awarded Khel Ratna, has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words have always inspired him to strive for excellence and make the nation proud and that he will continue delivering his best moves "on 64 squares and outside of it".
'Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award' is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.
Apart from Gukesh, double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Para Athlete Praveen Kumar have been awarded the prestigious Khel Ratna.
"Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi, I am truly grateful and feel humbled to receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Your words and guidance have always inspired me to strive for excellence and make the nation proud. I promise to continue delivering my best moves on 64 squares and outside of it. Thank you Hon. Sports Minister @mansukhmandviya for your constant support," D Gukesh wrote in a post on X.

Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, I am truly grateful and feel humbled to receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Your words and guidance have always inspired me to strive for excellence and make the nation proud. I promise to continue… pic.twitter.com/hBdpUlroiI

— Gukesh D (@DGukesh) January 2, 2025

Gukesh's success story was one of the major highlights of Indian sports in 2024. He made history in December by defeating China's Ding Liren in the decisive 14th game of the FIDE World Championship match in Singapore. The championship, tied at 6.5-6.5 heading into the final game, saw a stellar performance from Gukesh, who secured a 7.5-6.5 victory, becoming the youngest world champion at 18. He also became India's second world chess champion after Viswanathan Anand.
Indian men's hockey players Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and women's hockey team captain Salima Tete have been awarded Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2024.
Indian chess grandmaster Vantika Agrawal and athlete Jyothi Yarraji have also been named for Arjuna Awards.
Para athletes Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Deepthi, Ajeet Singh, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Dharambir, Pranav Soorma, Hokato Sema, Simran, and Navdeep will also receive Arjuna Awards.
Olympic medalists Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh and Para-Olympic shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis have also been awarded with Arjuna Awards.
Former Dempo FC and East Bengal head coach Armando Agnelo Colaco was also awarded with Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category.
The awardees will receive their awards from President Droupadi Murmu at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025. (ANI)