Key facts
- The National Sports Awards have not been announced six months after the selection committee's recommendations.
- The Sports Ministry is re-evaluating names recommended for the Arjuna awards.
- Athletes express de-motivation and frustration over the unprecedented delay.
- The Khel Ratna awardee receives Rs 25 lakh, while Arjuna awardees receive Rs 15 lakh.
- Hardik Singh is reportedly the sole recommendation for the Khel Ratna award.
- Arjuna award recommendations exceed 20, including for Yogasana.
Six months after the selection committee submitted its recommendations, India's National Sports Awards have yet to be announced, sparking discontent within the nation's sporting community. The Sports Ministry has cited a "re-evaluation of names picked for the Arjuna awards" as the reason for the unprecedented delay, stating the process is necessary to "preserve the integrity of the awards."
This prolonged wait has left athletes and former awardees feeling de-motivated and disrespected. An Olympic-medal winning former Khel Ratna awardee noted that unofficially, athletes often learn if they are shortlisted, adding to the frustration. The traditional ceremony date of August 29, commemorating National Sports Day and the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, has not been fixed since the COVID-19 pandemic, with ceremonies sometimes pushed to accommodate major sporting events. Last year's ceremony was held on January 17.
Adding to the unease, the nomination process for the next edition is approaching. Athletes like Tejaswin Shankar, an Asian championship gold-winning decathlete recommended for the Arjuna award, have publicly voiced their displeasure. Other Arjuna award recommendations include World Cup-winning chess player Divya Deshmukh and gymnast Pranati Nayak. Sources indicate that men's hockey team star Hardik Singh is the sole recommendation for the Khel Ratna, the country's highest sporting honour, which comes with a Rs 25 lakh prize. The Arjuna award, with a Rs 15 lakh prize, has over 20 recommendations, potentially including Yogasana for the first time.
Ministry officials, speaking anonymously, have cited concerns about the "requisite achievements" of some recommended names and the potential for litigations and public statements from those who do not receive awards. They emphasize the need for transparency and a structured evaluation process, even as the delay continues to cast a shadow over the athletes awaiting recognition.