How mush delay is too much delay? Athletes left waiting for National Sports Awards, ministry offers no explanation | Off the field News
More than six months after the selection committee submitted its recommendations, the National Sports Awards for 2025-26 are yet to be announced, leading to growing frustration among athletes and former award winners.The sports ministry has attributed the delay to a “re-evaluation of names picked for the Arjuna awards”. According to ministry sources quoted by news agency PTI, the process is procedural and aimed at preserving the integrity of the awards.However, several athletes and former awardees believe the prolonged wait is affecting morale.“It is unfortunate that no announcement has come so far. It is de-motivating for the athletes, especially because unofficially most people come to know whether they have been shortlisted or not,” an Olympic-medal winning former Khel Ratna awardee told PTI.Traditionally, the National Sports Awards ceremony was held on August 29, National Sports Day, which marks the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when the awards were presented virtually, the date has no longer remained fixed.In recent years, the ceremony has often been pushed back to accommodate performances in the Olympics and other multi-sport events. The most recent edition was held on January 17 last year.The recommendations for the 2025-26 awards were finalised in December 2025. Under existing norms, the sports ministry is expected to formally announce the names within a week, with only minor changes if required.More than six months later, there is still no announcement. The delay has also raised concerns because the nomination process for the next edition is approaching.“These awards should always follow a set schedule. Whatever evaluation that needs to be done, it can be done but not by withholding names like this. I am sure most of those who have been selected are worthy of the honours,” the former Khel Ratna awardee said, as quoted by PTI.A former Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth Games gold medallist also questioned the delay. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that if August 29 was no longer suitable, the authorities should choose another fixed date for the ceremony.“At first the date kept moving for different reasons and now the entire process stands halted, which is not the athletes’ fault at all. The ministry needs to at least give some explanation because these honours are like an annual festival for sportspersons. Getting those blazer fittings, the dress rehearsal of the entire protocol and finally that moment with the President, it’s a major highlight for athletes,” he said, a former Arjuna awardee and Commonwealth Games gold medallist was quoted as saying by PTI .The concerns are not limited to former awardees. After the ministry announced the re-evaluation process, Asian Championships gold medallist decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who has been recommended for the Arjuna Award, publicly criticised the delay.“This delay is not just de-motivating to athletes and coaches but also a sign of disrespect,” he posted on X in April.Among those recommended for the Arjuna Award this year are World Cup-winning chess player Divya Deshmukh and gymnast Pranati Nayak.According to PTI report, men’s hockey player Hardik Singh is the lone recommendation for the Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, which carries a medallion, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.More than 20 athletes have been recommended for the Arjuna Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh. The list includes sportspersons from disciplines such as chess and Yogasana, which could receive representation for the first time if the recommendations remain unchanged.The Sports Ministry has not issued a formal explanation for the delay. However, officials have privately said there are concerns over whether some recommended candidates meet the achievement criteria required for the Arjuna Award.
