Kohima, Jan 4: Hokato Hotozhe Sema, Nagaland’s first Paralympic medalist, is set to be honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2024. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports made the announcement on Thursday, recognizing his remarkable achievement in para-athletics.

Sema earned the honor for securing a bronze medal in the men’s shot put F57 category at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. He will receive the Arjuna Award from the President of India at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2024.

The Arjuna Award is given to athletes who have demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, and sportsmanship over the last four years. A selection committee, chaired by Justice (Retd.) V. Ramasubramanian, chose 31 athletes for this year’s award.

In addition to Sema, Chandigarh University will be awarded the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy for being the top performer in the Khelo India University Games. Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will be the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The same ceremony will also honor athletes with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, including World Chess Champion Gukesh D, and Paris Olympics and Paralympics medalists Manu Bhaker (shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), and Praveen Kumar (para-athletics).

Other notable Arjuna Awardees for 2024 include athletes Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani, Nitu, Vantika Agrawal, and Salima Tete.