Indian paralympic archer Harvinder Singh, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist and Paris 2024 gold medal winner, has questioned the Indian government’s criteria for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award after he was reportedly snubbed from the prestigious honor.
His comments come before the official nominations for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 is released.
“”Discrimination in sports”Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medalists were awarded by Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, but what about Paris 2024 Paralympic Gold medalists? Same Competition, Same Gold, same pride, why not same award?,” the para-archery ace said on X.
Indian Paralympics contingent’s Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil and, Pramod Bhagat were awarded the prestigious honor along with Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Neeraj Chopra after the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.
His Dronacharya Award-winning coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja also weighed in, saying, “In the year 2021, all Olympic medal winners and Paralympic gold medal winners were honoured with the Khel Ratna, and it is truly inspiring to see the government continue to recognize the immense contributions of our athletes
“However, I understand that the policy may have now changed, which brings me to request your kind attention towards Harvinder Singh’s exceptional achievements.”
“Harvinder Singh won 1st ever individual gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, along with a 4th-place finish in the recurve mixed team event. His historic feat of winning India’s first-ever individual bronze medal at the 2021 Paralympics has already placed him among the country’s elite athletes,” he added.
As per the Ministry of Youth & Department of Sports, ‘The spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which award is to be given will be considered for Award for excellence in Sports & Games at International level i.e. Olympic/ Paralympics/ Asian/ Commonwealth Games/ Championships/ World Cup/ World Championships and equivalent recognized international tournaments. Accordingly, sports achievements for the period from 1st January 2020 upto the conclusion of Olympics/Paralympic Games, 2024 will be taken into consideration.’