Taking scathing view of the fact that Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and off spinner Harbhajan Singh were not personally present to collect their Padma awards despite being in the country, Sports Minister MS Gill has sounded a warning that no awards will be issued for those to repeat the fiasco.
After controversy dogged this year’s awards that MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh did not make themselves available to personally receive amidst speculation that IPL 2 sponsor commitments and advertising business kept them busy, the sports ministry has dashed off a letter to the centre stating that hence forth, no awards will be given to those who stay away and also, that if prior intimation is made of the unavailability, another day could be arranged when they could personally receive it.
Already there was much controversy why other sportsmen are being overlooked while cricketers appear to be bagging awards. This then has not helped to nurture the image of the deserving sportsman.
Harbhajan: Licensing his Name!
