Double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar on Thursday indicated that the choice committee runs the chance of decreasing the dignity of the annual nationwide sports activities awards by making too many suggestions. An unprecedented 5 Khel Ratna and 29 Arjuna award recommendations have been made to the sports activities minister by the choice panel, elevating eyebrows.
The champion wrestler didn’t say it in as many phrases however hinted that giving freely the awards to so many athletes can find yourself decreasing their dignity.
He mentioned it’s essential to, as a substitute, “preserve the delight” connected with these awards.
“I congratulate those who’ve been nominated however I really feel individuals ought to work in direction of sustaining the dignity of those nationwide sports activities awards. This isn’t even an Olympic yr,” Sushil informed PTI.
“I actually is an athlete, so I’m comfortable for all, however we should preserve the delight connected with these awards.”
In 2016, the federal government honoured 4 athletes — shuttler PV Sindhu, wrestler Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar and shooter Jitu Rai — with the Khel Ratna after their performances on the Rio Olympics.
However this yr the awards committee has really helpful 5 athletes — cricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, paddler Manika Batra, girls’s hockey staff captain Rani Rampal and para-athlete Mariyappan Thangvelu for the county’s prime sporting honour.
Sushil, who received a bronze in 2008 and a silver within the 2012 version of the Olympic Video games, additionally didn’t perceive why athletes who’ve already acquired the very best sporting honour, had been thought-about for an award that sits decrease on the rung.
Malik and Mirabai Chanu, who’ve received the Khel Ratna prior to now, utilized for Arjuna this yr and the committee really helpful their names.
“Not solely this, even it has been famous that a efficiency which has already fetched an athlete award prior to now, has been thought-about once more this yr,” mentioned the 37-year-old.
Promoted
Sushil is eager to earn one other shot on the Olympics and is coaching on the Chhatarasal Stadium.
He’ll see competitors not solely from kids reminiscent of Jitender Kumar but additionally outdated rival Narsingh Yadav, who’s getting again to motion in 74kg after serving his four-year doping ban.
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