Kara Riggs By NZB News Sports Desk
Introduction: Celebrating Sporting Excellence
The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, have long recognised the nation’s sporting heroes-athletes, coaches, and pioneers whose achievements have inspired millions and elevated India’s global sporting profile. In 2025, the tradition continued as President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri to a select group of outstanding sports personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Their stories are not only about medals and records, but also about resilience, leadership, and the power of sport to unite and uplift.
This article explores the Padma Awards 2025 recipients from the world of sports, their journeys, and the broader significance of honouring athletic achievement in contemporary India.
The Padma Awards: Honouring India’s Sporting Icons
The Padma Awards are conferred in three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a higher order.
- Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field.
In the field of sports, these awards recognise not only international champions but also those who have contributed to the growth and integrity of Indian sport through coaching, administration, and social impact.
Padma Bhushan 2025: PR Sreejesh-A Hockey Legend
PR Sreejesh: The Guardian of Indian Hockey
PR Sreejesh, former Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper and current coach of the Junior Indian Hockey Team, was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2025. Sreejesh’s name is synonymous with Indian hockey’s resurgence on the world stage. Over a 22-year playing career, he became the only hockey goalkeeper in the world to win the prestigious FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award three times.
Sreejesh led India to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, most notably at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where his penalty shootout heroics became the stuff of legend. He was celebrated for his leadership, composure under pressure, and ability to inspire teammates. After retiring from international hockey in 2024, Sreejesh turned to coaching, mentoring the next generation of Indian hockey stars.
At the awards ceremony, Sreejesh appeared in traditional Kerala attire, cheered on by his family and the sporting fraternity. His journey from a small village in Kerala to the pinnacle of world hockey is a testament to hard work, humility, and the transformative power of sport.
Padma Shri 2025: Stars Who Shaped Indian Sport
Ravichandran Ashwin: Cricket’s Master Spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s finest cricketers, was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025. Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in 2024, leaves behind a legacy as one of the most successful spin bowlers in the game’s history. With over 500 Test wickets and numerous match-winning performances, Ashwin’s tactical acumen and adaptability made him a mainstay of the Indian team across formats.
Beyond his on-field exploits, Ashwin is respected for his sportsmanship, analytical mind, and commitment to the spirit of cricket. His contributions to grassroots cricket and youth development have further cemented his status as a role model for aspiring players.
IM Vijayan: The Jewel of Indian Football
Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, fondly known as IM Vijayan, received the Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to Indian football. Hailing from Kerala, Vijayan’s rags-to-riches story-from selling soda bottles to captaining the national team-has inspired generations. Known for his agility, goal-scoring prowess, and leadership, he was thrice named Indian Player of the Year and remains a legend in Indian football circles.
Vijayan’s post-retirement work in football coaching and community outreach has helped nurture talent in underprivileged areas, ensuring his legacy extends far beyond the playing field.
Harvinder Singh: Paralympic Champion in Archery
Harvinder Singh, India’s first Paralympic medalist in archery, was honoured with the Padma Shri. Singh’s bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 was a watershed moment for Indian para-sports, inspiring a new generation of differently-abled athletes. Singh’s journey is marked by perseverance, overcoming physical challenges, and breaking barriers for para-athletes in India.
Satyapal Singh: Architect of Para Athletics Success
Dr. Satyapal Singh, a renowned para-athletics coach, was also conferred the Padma Shri for his pivotal role in developing India’s para-sports ecosystem. His coaching has produced multiple Paralympic and World Championship medalists, and his advocacy has led to greater recognition and support for athletes with disabilities.
The Broader Impact: Sport as a Force for Change
Inspiring a Nation
The Padma Awards 2025 sports recipients represent the best of Indian sport-not just in terms of achievement, but in their ability to inspire, unite, and drive social change. From Sreejesh’s Olympic heroics to Ashwin’s cricketing wizardry and Vijayan’s footballing magic, these athletes have brought pride and joy to millions.
Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity
Honouring para-athletes and coaches like Harvinder Singh and Satyapal Singh signals a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity in Indian sport. Their achievements challenge stereotypes and demonstrate that excellence knows no boundaries.
Building the Future
The awardees’ commitment to coaching, mentoring, and grassroots development ensures that their legacy will endure. By investing in the next generation, they are helping to build a more vibrant, competitive, and equitable sporting culture.
The Ceremony: A Moment of National Recognition
The Padma Awards 2025 ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan was a celebration of sporting achievement and national pride. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other dignitaries applauded the recipients, whose families and fans watched with pride as their heroes were honoured on the nation’s grandest stage.
The event was marked by emotion, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to the values that sport embodies: teamwork, perseverance, and fair play.
Discussion: The Road Ahead for Indian Sport
Challenges and Opportunities
Indian sport continues to face challenges: infrastructure gaps, funding constraints, and the need for greater support for women and marginalised athletes. However, the stories of the 2025 Padma Awardees offer hope and a blueprint for progress. Their journeys underscore the importance of investment in coaching, facilities, and athlete welfare.
The Role of Government and Civil Society
The Padma Awards highlight the need for ongoing partnership between government, sporting bodies, and civil society. Recognition must be matched by sustained support, policy innovation, and a commitment to making sport accessible to all.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Perhaps the greatest legacy of the Padma Awards is the inspiration they provide to young Indians. By celebrating sporting excellence, the awards encourage children across the country to dream big, work hard, and believe in their potential.
Summary
The Padma Awards 2025 have honoured a remarkable group of sports personalities whose achievements have shaped the destiny of Indian sport. From PR Sreejesh’s goalkeeping heroics to Ashwin’s cricketing mastery, IM Vijayan’s footballing brilliance, and the trailblazing efforts of Harvinder Singh and Satyapal Singh in para-sports, these awardees embody the spirit of excellence, resilience, and service.
Their stories remind us that sport is more than competition-it is a force for unity, empowerment, and national pride. As India looks to the future, the Padma Awardees of 2025 will continue to inspire generations, on and off the field.
For NZB News, this is the Sports Desk, saluting the champions who make India proud.
