One of India’s greatest off-spinner and a member of World Cup-winning team, Harbhajan Singh, was left heartbroken after the news broke that his nomination for Khel Ratna Award was rejected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
He wasn’t the only one whose nomination was rejected; ace sprinter Dutee Chand’s nomination for Arjuna Award was also rejected.
This poked the Turbanator and he was left fuming, subsequently asking the Punjab Government to look into the matter seriously.
“I have come to know from the media that my nomination filed by the Punjab government for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna has been declined by the Centre with the reason being that the papers arrived quite late. I’ve learned that due to this delay, I won’t be getting the award this year,” Harbhajan was quoted saying by Times Now.
He also uploaded a video on Twitter in order to plea Punjab government after his nomination was rejected for submitting the papers on time for the consideration. Although, he clarified that he has submitted all the required papers on time.
“I would like to plead the Sports Minister of the Punjab Government to start an inquiry into the matter as to why and how the delay occurred. Because, as far as I can remember, I had got the forms submitted into his office by March 20, but still it got delayed. If it had been on time, I could’ve won the award this year,”.
https://t.co/pG3lRHHqli Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: पंजाब सरकार खेल विभाग की लापरवाही पर Harbhajan Singh का बयान
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 30, 2019
He further stated that awards, recognition, and accolades encourage the athlete to surpass his limits and enhance performance through dedication and hard work. The delays in filing the nomination paper can lead to disarray and lack of inspiration among sportsperson and have requested for his nomination to be sent once again to the Central Government in a timely way.
Although, he knows that this wouldn’t happen this year and the legend will have to wait for at least one year.
