Sardar’s Khel Ratna nomination raises big question on eligibility
tionally and physically,” even pushing her to undergo abortion.
On Friday, HI, Indian Olympic Association and sports ministry officials were understandably guarded, not responding to repeated requests from Hindustan Times for comments on why his name was recommended.
The woman also alleged that the two got engaged in 2014 after their families consented, but Sardar then refused to marry her.
Even while India were celebrating their massive win over Pakistan in the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London in June this year, Sardar was called for questioning by the UK police in connection with the case. The team management termed the UK police’s move uncalled for and international hockey federation (FIH) president Narinder Batra, “in his personal capacity”, flayed the action.
It is in this backdrop that Sardar’s recommendation for the Khel Ratna seems misplaced. Agreed, he has not been found guilty or convicted, but what if at a later date, he does find himself in an awkward situation? Not just Sardar, HI too might not be able to stop the government from taking away the top honour that is likely to be bestowed.
The Athletics Federation of India suffered the ignominy of their recommendation for Arjuna Award to triple jumper Renjith Maheshwary being turned down two days before the ceremony in 2014 after Hindustan Times highlighted he had been found guilty of a doping offence and hence deemed ineligible.
Rule No 5.9 of the Khel Ratna nomination states: “The nominating authorities are required to certify that the nominees are clear from vigilance/disciplinary angles and are not involved in acts of criminal and moral turpitude nature. In case of sportspersons employed with Central Government/ State Governments/ PSUs or in private organisations, nominating authorities should obtain a report from the employers before certifying that the sportsperson being nominated is clear from vigilance/disciplinary angle and is not involved in any act of criminal or moral turpitude. While seeking report from the employer, details of chargesheet/disciplinary action taken/ pending, if any, should also be obtained. Copy of the report/certificate obtained from the employer should be enclosed with the application.
Rule 5.10, says: “Copies of the nominations received from organisations other than the National Sports Federations (NSFs) will be sent to the concerned NSF for verification of the details and the achievements and for checking if the nominated sportsperson has ever been warned/penalised for any unfair practice like age fraud/sexual harassment, doping etc.”
There is a serious charge against Sardar, and the world knows it. Sardar was stripped of his captaincy before the
Rio Olympics and many attributed it to the torrid time the long-serving captain was going through.
Perhaps the sports administrators could also look at the achievements of Mithali Raj, the cricketer who captained the team to the women’s World Cup final and achieved a personal landmark, becoming the highest rungetter in ODIs. Wrestler Sakshi Malik, shuttler PV Sindhu and gymnast Dipa Karmakar were conferred the Khel Ratna days after returning from Rio even though the nomination of shooter Jitu Rai had already been announced. Why can’t an exception be made for Mithali?
DENIED?