Punia to meet minister after Khel Ratna snub
NEW DELHI: A peeved Bajrang Punia will meet Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Friday to lodge a formal protest on being neglected for the country’s highest sporting honour — the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
Bajrang, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games, claimed he is a more deserving candidate than weightlifter Mirabai Chanu. “There is points system in place for the award and it is transparent. Considering my achievements in the last four years, I have better points and truly deserve it,” Bajrang said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the sports ministry ratified the list of Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees, but archery coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja’s name didn’t figure in the list.
“I want to know why my name was not recommended for the Khel Ratna,” said Bajrang. “If not, I will move court. That’s the only option I have as I believe that I deserve the award because I have better achievements than Mirabai.”
ANSHU GETS BRONZE
TRNAVA (SLOVAKIA): Anshu Malik ensured that India do not endure a medal-less day at the Junior World Wrestling Championships as she grabbed a bronze in the 59kg category here on Thursday. In 57kg, Mansi will fight for a bronze. Anshu beat Russia’s Alina Kazymova 11-5 in the bronze medal bout after losing her semifinal by technical superi- ority to Sae Nanjo of Japan. Mansi had an impressive run till the semis, winning both her bouts by technical superiority but lost by the fall to Andoriahanako Sawa from Japan.
ARCHERS SEEK DRONA FOR COACH TEJA
NEWDELHI: Arjuna award winning archers shot off a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, requesting him to ensure that their coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja is not deprived of Dronacharya honour. Teja was recommended for the Dronacharya by the selection committee but the ministry struck off his name citing a past incident of indiscipline. “He is a big motivator and has taken Indian archery to new heights. We urge you to kindly acknowledge his efforts and pursue the issue at the earliest,” the letter read.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS
NEW DELHI: The Mission Olympic Cell of SAI held a meeting to discuss the roadmap for 2020 Olympics and said a “transparent selection policy” will be put in place in collaboration with federations. Among major decisions taken were “creation of a transparent selection policy specific to each discipline in collaboration with the respective NSFs,” a release said. It will also chart a roadmap for each athlete in discussion with coaches and sports scientists.