Uproar Over Sports Awards List

The interim list released for sports awards in Chhattisgarh has once again become embroiled in controversy. The department announced the names of 76 players and coaches for 2023 and 2024, but objections have been lodged against 64 of these. The question is, when more than half of the names have become controversial, how transparent is the selection process of the sports department? Now it will be interesting to see whether the players' resentment will be removed in the decision-making committee meeting to be held on August 31, or the sports awards will once again remain entangled in controversy and questions.

There is always a ruckus about the Veer Hanuman Singh Award given to the coach. The same happened this time too. The name of kick boxing coach Tarakesh Mishra was included in the list, while kayaking-canoeing coach Ashok Sahu challenged it. Sahu says - it has not been even five years since kick boxing was recognized. Despite this, how did the coach get nominated? Kayaking-canoeing is continuously getting medals for Chhattisgarh in the National Games, then why was it ignored? He quipped that last year too his claim was removed from the table.

Reward was received, award was stopped
Mahasamund's handball player Manish Chandrakar has also lodged a strong objection. He said that his team won the bronze medal in the 2023 National Games and the players also got cash prize. But when it was the turn of the award, the department stopped it on the pretext of recognition. He raised the question- 'If there is a dispute on the recognition of handball, then the same situation is there on volleyball. Then why different standards?'

More than one name in team games? Players have also raised questions on the selection of team games. The names of Apoorv Yadu and Rajesh Rathore from netball, while Bhupendra Kumar Gadhe from softball were included in the list. The question is echoing in the sports world that 'How can more than one player get an award in team games?'

Ignoring para archers The biggest objection is regarding para archery. State Archery Association official Kailash Murarka said that para archers have won medals in 2023 and 2024. Despite this, they were excluded from the list. He raised the question, 'Do the achievements of disabled players have no meaning for the Sports Department?'

Question after question
Objection to 64 out of 14476 names. Is the selection process just a sham?

Why are 44 Veer Hanuman Singh Awards in controversy every year?

Why are players deprived of awards even after winning medals?

Who is responsible for ignoring para archers?