“If the Govt doesn’t recognise their achievements, it will discourage every budding sporting talents we have in India,” says Sports Minister in defending govt’s decision to confer 74 Sports Awards

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that the decision of choosing the awards is vested on a technical committee and not on the Minister who only gives the consent on behalf of the government after criticisms arose from all quarters on the unprecedented move to confer a record 74 National Sports Award this year.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that the decision of choosing the awards is vested on a technical committee and not on the Minister who only gives the consent on behalf of the government after criticisms arose from all quarters on the unprecedented move to confer a record 74 National Sports Award this year, including five Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna honours.

“The performance of our athletes in the international level has become better. When our players perform better, they have to be recognized and rewarded. If the Govt doesn’t recognise their achievements, it will discourage every budding sporting talents we have in India,” Rijiju said.

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“So, compared to the previous years, the performances of the indian athletes have gone up considerably and as a result, the number of award winners have also gone up.”  the Sports Minister added.

This year the ministry will also give 13 Dronacharya and 15 Dhyan Chand awards.

“Secondly, there should be a proper process in which you make a choice. For the sports awards, the committee was headed by a Supreme Court judge and all the renowned people from the field of sports. “When they take a call there is intense deliberation, discussion and there are set guidelines on the basis of which they have used their judgement,” he said defending the governemnt’s decision.
He also added that other candidates left out will also have the chance to be honored next year as the sports awards are not for one year but is the cumulative performance for four years.