Saina Nehwal lashes out at sports ministry over Padma snub

BENGALURU: Badminton ace Saina Nehwal is hurt that the Union sports ministry did not recommend her name for the 2015 Padma Bhushan award despite a sparkling show last year.

A few months ago, the ministry forced itself to make a choice between Saina and Sushil Kumar for the Padma Bhushan and zeroed in on the star wrestler for his bronze and silver at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics respectively.

This although Sushil apparently had little to show in terms of results last year, save a gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The sports ministry's choice was also at odds with the home ministry's rule that there had to be a gap of five years between two Padma awards to the same person.

By this yardstick, Sushil, who won the Padma Shri in 2011, wouldn't have been eligible until next year. The home ministry's awards committee, however, can decide to relax the rule in some cases.

"The Badminton Association of India forwarded my application for Padma Bhushan to the sports ministry. I am now informed by ministry sources that they have not recommended my name to the home ministry panel... They have picked Sushil instead. If it is a mere recommendation, why didn't the ministry choose both of us," Saina asked.

Even if the ministry was bound to suggest just one name, Saina felt it should've been her, given she won three titles and two bronze medals. "Two years back, when I applied for the 2014 Padma Bhushan, the sports ministry said that it wouldn't consider my case because I had flouted the MHA's fiveyear rule as I had won the Padma Shri in 2010. This year, despite being eligible, my name has been ignored and the ministry picked Sushil who is not eligible," she said.

"I am not saying Sushil should not get the award. It would be great if both of us got it. My question is why am I being denied a chance to win the Padma Bhushan? "Everyone, including Sachin Tendulkar, seems to have been subjected to this rule. If there are indeed exceptions to the rule, then why wasn't it made in my case two years back? I had won the London Olympics bronze and that was a big achievement."

Saina pointed to her achievements last year and said she was confident when she applied that she would be a strong contender for the Padma Bhushan.

"I won three titles this year: the Indian Open, Australian Open Super Series and the China Open Super Series. Besides, there were two bronze medals, one at the Uber Cup team championships and the other at the Asian Games team events. Aren't they enough to prove my point?

"I am hurt by this news and only want to mention that such negligence should not occur. The decision to give the award rests with the panel concerned and I will always respect that decision," she added.