Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards
| Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Sports achievements |
| Sponsored by | Assam Olympic Association |
| Date | 3 September |
| Presented by | Chief Minister of Assam president of Assam Olympic Association |
| Eligibility | Indian sportsperson |
| Rewards | ₹5 lakh (US$5,900): Sportsperson of the Year ₹3 lakh (US$3,500): Lifetime Achievement in Sports ₹2 lakh (US$2,400): Emerging Sports Talent of the Year |
| Status | Active |
| First award | 2025 |
| Highlights | |
| Total awards | 6 (and special recognition) |
The Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards are a set of national Indian honours awarded annually by the Assam Olympic Association on 3 September. The awards were introduced in 2025, in honour of the first Assamese athlete to become an international gold medalist, Bhogeswar Baruah.
There are three categories of the award: Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Emerging Sports Talent of the Year, and each category is awarded for both National and Assam recipients.
History
In July 2025, Union Minister and president of Assam Olympic Association Sarbananda Sonowal announced the establishment of the Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards, to recognise and commend the achievements of athletes in the country. Sonowal said that the awards would aim to "promote excellence, dedication and integrity in the field of sports".[1] The award was named after Assamese sports legend Bhogeswar Baruah, the first Assamese athlete to win an international gold medal.[2]
On 28 August 2025, the Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award trophy unveiled in a ceremony in Guwahati.[3][4] The event was attended by Sports Minister Nandita Garlosa and boxer Ankushita Boro.[5]
At the inaugural awards ceremony on 3 September, Union Minister Sonowal and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the awards, and the ceremony was attended by various athletes and figures including president of the Indian Olympic Association, P.T. Usha.[6][7] Sonowal said that the awards would be a "beacon of inspiration for every young Assamese and every Indian athlete - to dream bigger, play harder, and make our nation proud." Sarma said that the launch of the award was a defining moment for the sporting fraternity of Assam.[8]
During the inaugural ceremony, a regular pensions scheme for sportspersons in Assam was also announced, and recognition of grassroots success of schools was also given.[9]
Categories and rewards
The award has three categories: Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Emerging Sports Talent of the Year, and each category is awarded for both National and Assam athletes.[10] Special recognition awards are also given as part of the awards.[8]
The Sportsperson of the Year recipient is awarded ₹5 lakh (US$5,900), the Lifetime Achievement in Sports recipient is awarded ₹3 lakh (US$3,500), and the Emerging Sports Talent of the Year is awarded ₹2 lakh (US$2,400).[1]
2025 winners
National
| Category | Athlete | Field | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsperson of the Year | Manu Bhaker[11] | Shooting | ₹5 lakh (US$5,900) |
| Lifetime Achievement in Sports | Sunil Chhetri | Football | ₹3 lakh (US$3,500) |
| Emerging Sports Talent of the Year | Bedabrat Bharali | Weightlifting[12] | ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) |
Assam
| Category | Athlete[13] | Field | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsperson of the Year | Lovlina Borgohain[14] | Boxing | ₹5 lakh (US$5,900) |
| Lifetime Achievement in Sports | Dipankar Bhattacharjee | Badminton | ₹3 lakh (US$3,500) |
| Emerging Sports Talent of the Year | Priyanuj Bhattacharya | Table tennis | ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) |
Special recognition
Special recognition awards also went to Babul Phukan, Balendra Mohan Chakravarty, Prema Dhar Sarma, Jowel Bey, Joydip Das, Pradip Brahma, Rakesh Bonik, Rimpi Buragohain, Swadhin Deka Raja, and Syed Eske Alam.[8]
References
- ^ a b "Sports award announced in honour of Bhogeshwar Baruah". The Times of India. 2025-07-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "AOA to introduce National Sports Award in honour of Bhogeswar Baruah". The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People. 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Assam Olympic Association unveils Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award Trophy". Northeast News - Northeast India news 24×7. 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Assam Olympic association unveils Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award trophy". India Today NE (in Hindi). 2025-08-29. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Assam Olympic Association Unveils Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award Trophy". www.pratidintime.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Indian sports icons to attend Bhogeswar Baruah Awards on Sept 3". The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People. 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Bhogeswar baruah national sports award". Cricketnmore. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Assam Olympic Association launches Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards Conferred in Guwahati". www.pratidintime.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ Newsdesk, India News (2025-09-03). "Bhogeswar Baruah National Best Sportsperson Award launched by Assam Olympic Association | Australia India News". Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Manu Bhaker receives inaugural Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award". The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Assam Olympic Association Launches Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards". guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ Tribune, The Assam (2025-09-04). "Manu Bhaker, Sunil Chhetri, Lovlina honoured with Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ^ "Assam Olympic Association launches Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Awards". ANI News. Retrieved 2025-11-05.