MUMBAI: The Sports Ministry Thursday declared Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and world champion weightlifter, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu winners of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2018 award, the highest sporting honour of the country.
In a press release, it stated that the decision was ‘based on the recommendations of the (selection) committee and (taken) after due scrutiny’. However, not all in the Indian sporting fraternity are convinced.
According to a Times of India report, the committee ignored the points system that takes into account the performances of athletes across sport and is supposed to determine the winner of the award. Chanu is said to have received just 63 points in this regard, which is the sixth highest out of the 11 names zeroed down upon out of 17.
The list was actually led by wrestling duo Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia who scored 93 and 92 points respectively, followed by para-athlete Deepa Malik (90.4 points), table tennis star Manika Batra (78 points) and pugilist Vikas Krishan (66 points).
It is also interesting to note that Chanu and Kohli’s recommendations were submitted and approved at the 11th hour and that the committee has been authorized to award up to 20 discretionary points to an athlete beyond their performances in top multi-sport world events.
It also need noting that when it comes to Kohli, he scored ‘zero’ points since cricket is not an Olympic sport and as a result, there is no points system adjudged for a cricketer’s selection which is done by a consensus or show of hands. This has made the likes of the Punia, the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games Gold medallist, question the worth of the points system, besides of course the country’s unabashed preference for cricket, a sport which already pampers its players with recognition and rewards.
Snubbed for the award, Punia met Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday evening. Bajrang was accompanied by his mentor, Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, during the meeting. “I was supposed to meet the minister on Friday but suddenly we got a call last evening for the meeting. I asked the minister about the reason for not considering me for the Khel Ratna. He said I didn’t have enough points which is wrong. I have garnered more points than the two (Virat Kohli and Mirabai Chanu) who were nominated,” Bajrang told PTI.
The 24-year-old wrestler, who won Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, said if he doesn’t get a favourable reply by Friday evening, he will be forced to knock the doors of the Court to get justice.
That is clearly his only option as Rathore, not surprisingly, has given short shrift to the champion wrestler’s arguments. “The minister met Bajrang and wanted to know his grievances. He explained to Bajrang why his name was not considered. Even though he has promised Bajrang to look into the matter, it is unlikely that any changes will be made,” a ministry source told PTI.
The champion wrestler told TOI that he was all set to move court following Thursday’s meeting with Rathore.
“I only got assurances from the minister but I won’t wait until next year.
“I want to ask them (committee members) a simple question: ‘What’s the use of having a points system in place when you don’t adhere to it?’
“If the members want to ignore my credentials despite it being amply visible that Vinesh and I have accumulated the maximum points, then what option do I have other than moving court?
“I have immense respect for Kohli and Mirabai. They are two champion sportspersons, but if I look at my credentials and that of Mirabai, there is no comparison. You gave her the award, give it to me as well, it’s simple.” Punia was quoted as saying to the newspaper.
11 members were said to be in the selection committee that appointed the Khel Ratna winners. An anonymous member conceded to TOI that despite there being a debate on Kohli’s candidature which wasn’t in accordance with the rules, eight members voted for him.
“When Kohli’s name came up for discussion, it was decided to pick him through a show of hands in the absence of a points system for cricket.
“Eight out of the 11 members supported Kohli’s candidature and that is how his name was recommended.
“In the case of Mirabai and Srikanth, the same process was followed. Seven members raised their hands for Mirabai and six in favour of Srikanth. So, Mirabai became the second recommendation. There was a further debate on Srikanth’s inclusion and an in internal voting also took place. But, opinion remained divided on his name, and only Kohli and Mirabai’s names were recommended. Bajrang and Vinesh’s names too came up for discussion, but they weren’t considered for the award.” the member reportedly told TOI.
The reaction of the rest of the sporting fraternity remains to be seen as this hasn’t seemingly set the right example for several athletes, aspirants and other stakeholders of the sport alike in the country.
Besides the Khel Ratna, the Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards amongst few others will be conferred to the winners in New Delhi on September 25.
