A Paralympic Athlete Challenged Sania Mirza’s Khel Ratna Award And Here’s Why

Sania Mirza had received the much coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Union Sports Ministry. She is Wimbledon Women’s 2015 doubles champion. This award is the highest honour any sportsperson can receive in India. But all doesn’t seem well there.

Apparently, HN Girisha, the paralympic high jumper, has challenged and consequently raised questions on Sania Mirza getting Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

He has challenged this move by saying that he has 90 points and therefore, is a top contender for this award. Following this, he said that Sania doesn’t figure anywhere near the top. That is why he has filed a petition with the court expressing his resentment of being overlooked.

He has pointed out many loopholes and thus questioned the method of getting the much-coveted award.

1. According to the Ministry, only performances at the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian, Commonwealth Games and World Championships from 2011 will be considered.

2. Also, his performances weren’t considered while deciding the award. He calls it ‘injustice’.

3. He feels dejected that Modi-led government didn’t give that much importance to his performances as it was meant to.

Awards received by Girisha till date:

1. Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka in 2012.

2. Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2013.

3. Silver at London 2012 Paralympics.

4. Bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

The result?

Sania’s award has been put on hold by Karnataka High Court.

The Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards were to be given to 17 athletes from various fields of sports on August 29, the National Sports Day.

Is Girisha challenging on the right grounds and are his complaints legit? If yes, will the government really hand over the award to him after considering Sania Mirza who ranks world’s number 1 in woman’s doubles?

We can only wait and watch.

News Source: First Post and Times Of India

Cover Image Source 1 & 2