'Sign of disrespect': Asian Games medalist slams government over delay in National Sports Awards
Asian Games silver medallist Tejaswin Shankar has raised concerns over the delay in announcing the National Sports Awards , questioning the ministry of youth affairs and sports for holding up the process. According to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), the ministry is carrying out another round of checks to remove names it considers unfit, leaving many athletes waiting.
The selection committee had submitted its final draft list nearly four months ago, in December, but the ministry has paused the announcement.
The committee had completed its work after nominations, which started later than usual. However, the final list is still not out as the ministry is reviewing the recommendations again.
"This should have been thought of 'before' the unofficial recommended names came out in December. Not 4 months 'after'. This delay is not just demotivating to athletes and coaches but also a sign of disrespect," Tejaswin Shankar said in post on X.
Sources in the ministry said the review is needed to protect the value of the awards.
"The list of Arjuna award recommendations is being re-evaluated right now. The value of these awards should not get diminished, that's the goal. It shouldn't be the case that we have Arjuna awardees in every nook and corner but when you ask them about their accomplishments, there is nothing much to show," a source in the ministry was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The ministry also believes that a fixed system with points should be in place so that only eligible athletes are selected, without the need for a panel.
"It's like the prize money, if your have won an Olympic medal, you shouldn't have to fill a form to get your Rs 75 lakh prize money. The system just knows and transfers the money suitably. Similarly, an athlete who has achieved the requisite shouldn't have to be evaluated again by a panel," the source added.
The awards are usually given on August 29, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, by the President. In recent years, this schedule has changed due to timing issues and delays in the nomination process.
The Khel Ratna , the country’s top sports honour, includes a medallion, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. The Arjuna Award carries a prize of Rs 15 lakh.
The selection committee had submitted its final draft list nearly four months ago, in December, but the ministry has paused the announcement.
The committee had completed its work after nominations, which started later than usual. However, the final list is still not out as the ministry is reviewing the recommendations again.
"This should have been thought of 'before' the unofficial recommended names came out in December. Not 4 months 'after'. This delay is not just demotivating to athletes and coaches but also a sign of disrespect," Tejaswin Shankar said in post on X.
Sources in the ministry said the review is needed to protect the value of the awards.
"The list of Arjuna award recommendations is being re-evaluated right now. The value of these awards should not get diminished, that's the goal. It shouldn't be the case that we have Arjuna awardees in every nook and corner but when you ask them about their accomplishments, there is nothing much to show," a source in the ministry was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The ministry also believes that a fixed system with points should be in place so that only eligible athletes are selected, without the need for a panel.
"It's like the prize money, if your have won an Olympic medal, you shouldn't have to fill a form to get your Rs 75 lakh prize money. The system just knows and transfers the money suitably. Similarly, an athlete who has achieved the requisite shouldn't have to be evaluated again by a panel," the source added.
The awards are usually given on August 29, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, by the President. In recent years, this schedule has changed due to timing issues and delays in the nomination process.
The Khel Ratna , the country’s top sports honour, includes a medallion, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. The Arjuna Award carries a prize of Rs 15 lakh.
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