Indian Railways, through the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing the country’s sports ecosystem. Since its inception in 1928, the RSPB has grown from supporting Hockey, Athletics, and Tennis to promoting 29 sports disciplines, including 18 individual and 11 team games. With affiliations to 28 National Sports Federations and the World Railways Sports Association (USIC), the RSPB has become a cornerstone in India’s sports development.
Currently, Indian Railways employs over 9,000 sportspersons across 29 disciplines, with approximately 3,000 actively participating in national and international competitions. The organization has provided these athletes with job security, enabling them to focus on excelling in their respective fields.
For the 2024 National Sports Awards, five Indian Railways athletes have been honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award, which will be presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025. The awardees and their respective sports are:
Ms. Jyothi Yarraji (SCR) – Athletics (100m hurdles)
Ms. Annu Rani (PLW) – Athletics (Javelin Throw)
Ms. Salima Tete (SER) – Hockey
Sh. Swapnil Suresh Kusale (CR) – Shooting (50m 3P)
Sh. Aman (NR) – Wrestling (57kg Freestyle)
With these additions, Indian Railways has now produced 183 Arjuna Awardees, alongside 28 Padma Shri, 12 Dhyan Chand, 13 Dronacharya, and 9 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award winners—making it the single largest organization with such accolades in India.
Indian Railways congratulates its awardees and remains committed to supporting the nation’s athletes in achieving excellence on both national and international stages.
