India’s sports minister has announced that his department will not take back its recommendation for Dronacharya Award to Hiranand Kataria, whose nomination is surrounded in controversy.
It has been reported that Kataria, who was given Dronacharya for kabaddi, is a joint secretary of the Wushu Association of India, and the players and coaches have expressed surprise over his selection. “I would like to go by what the committee has suggested. The committee is headed by none other than Pullela Gopichand. But if contrary facts emerge we will look into the matter,” Goel told PTI .
The minister said Kataria was nominated by an Arjuna awardee and the Kabaddi Federation of India’s nomination did not matter. Asked about weightlifter Sanjita Chanu opting to challenge her exclusion in court, Goel said, “[Someone] or [the] other misses out, always.”
“People will always complain when they miss the recognition. We will definitely consider her next year.”
All 17 Arjuna awardees and two Khel Ratnas, chosen for year 2017, will be conferred the honour on August 29, observed as national sports day, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
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