Double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar on Thursday indicated that the choice committee runs the danger of lowering the dignity of the annual national sports awards by making too many recommendations.
An unprecedented five Khel Ratna and 29 Arjuna award recommendations are made to the sports minister by the choice panel, raising eyebrows.
The champion wrestler didn’t say it in as many words but hinted that making a gift of the awards to numerous athletes can find yourself lowering their dignity.
He said it’s necessary to, instead, “maintain the pride” attached with these awards.
“I congratulate those who are nominated but I feel people should work towards maintaining the dignity of those national sports awards. this is often not even an Olympic year,” Sushil told PTI.
“I myself is an athlete, so i’m happy for all, but we must maintain the pride attached with these awards.”
In 2016, the govt honoured four athletes — shuttler PV Sindhu, wrestler Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar and shooter Jitu Rai — with the Khel Ratna after their performances at the Rio Olympics.
But this year the awards committee has recommended five athletes — cricketer Rohit Sharna, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, paddler Manika Batra, women’s team captain Rani Rampal and para-athlete Mariyappan Thangvelu for the county’s top sporting honour.
Sushil, who won a bronze in 2008 and a silver within the 2012 edition of the Olympic Games, also didn’t understand why athletes who have already received the very best sporting honour, were considered for a gift that sits lower on the rung.
Malik and Mirabai Chanu, who have won the Khel Ratna within the past, applied for Arjuna this year and therefore the committee recommended their names.
“Not only this, even it’s been noted that a performance which has already fetched an athlete award within the past, has been considered again this year,” said the 37-year-old.
Sushil is keen to earn another shot at the Olympics and is training at the Chhatarasal Stadium.
