After Third Padma Awards Snub, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Asks 'Who Decides Who Shall Be Awarded?'
Indias star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Sunday did not hold back her disappointment at allegedly being snubbed a third time when it came to receiving a Padma Award. She raised questions about the manner in which Padma awards are given to sportspersons.
India's star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, on Sunday, did not hold back her disappointment at allegedly being snubbed a third time when it came to receiving a Padma Award.
She raised questions about the manner in which Padma awards are given to sportspersons, terming the process as an "unfair one."
The current World Championship bronze medallist and one of India's biggest medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh hit out at the government accusing them of leaving out "deserving" candidates.
While the ace grappler didn't name anyone it wasn't hard to conjure up names. Among the female athletes, six-time World Champion and Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom has been conferred with second-highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan while former national women's football captain Bem Bem Devi got Padma Shri.
It should be noted that Asian Games and CWG gold medallist Vinesh was conferred with Arjuna Award in 2016. In 2018, Sports Authority of India sent her nomination but she couldn't make the final list.
Her tweet read: "Every year our Government awards several sportspersons. These awards serve as great encouragement for sports and for athletes to continue chasing excellence.
"But it's also seen that numerous times these awards don't honour current achievements or instances of sporting success in the recent past. It's almost like the deserving get left out each time. This has been a pattern and the 2020 awards list is no different.
"Who decides who shall be awarded? Are there current or former athletes in the jury? How does it even work?
"At (sic) the end, it all just seems slightly unfair.!!!!".
#Padmashree pic.twitter.com/lAOCjin2tl
¡ª Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 26, 2020
It is believed that the trigger for such a Twitter tirade could be due to the fact that Bem Bem Devi was conferred the award before her.
The talented wrestler will have to wait another year to be considered for the awards. For now, she will have to concentrate on the task ahead and get herself in good shape ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
