Trailblazing decathlete Tejaswin Shankar has criticised the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the unprecedented delay in announcing the National Sports Awards. The government, according to Press Trust of India, is conducting a fresh round of scrutiny to eliminate unworthy winners, leaving dozens of elite athletes in uncertainty.
Despite the official selection committee submitting its final recommendations nearly four months ago, in December, the ministry has paused the process. This move has drawn significant criticism from athletes who believe the re-evaluation undermines the committee’s authority and adds undue pressure on those who have already met the strict criteria.
“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 within the ministry defended the delay, stating that re-assessment is necessary to maintain the awards’ prestige.
“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 said, according to PTI.
Hockey star Hardik Singh is reportedly the sole nominee for the Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour. The Arjuna Award shortlist comprises 24 athletes, including teenage chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, Tejaswin, and Aarti Pal, the first-ever Yogasana athlete nominated since the discipline’s formal recognition.
The ministry also emphasised its intention to move away from subjective panels towards a strict, points-based automated system.
“It’s like the prize money—if you 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 official added.
Officials cited the numerous legal battles and public disputes that have previously marred the awards ceremony. By tightening the criteria now, the ministry aims to prevent the litigations and media statements that follow from athletes who feel unjustly excluded.
Traditionally, the awards are presented by the President of India on August 29, the National Sports Day, which honours hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
However, this timeline has fractured in recent years due to major international events and administrative changes.
As it stands, the ministry has not confirmed a date for the ceremony, leaving the nation’s top performers uncertain if their names will survive the final stringent selection.
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