Awards discrimination? Paralympics champion flags 'same medal but not same award'

Harvinder Singh, who clinched India’s first-ever individual gold medal in archery at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, has raised concerns regarding his exclusion from the list of nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Singh secured the gold in the Men’s Individual Recurve event, defeating Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek 6-0 in the final. Despite his historic achievement, his name was absent from the list of athletes recommended for the Khel Ratna Award, which has sparked widespread discussion about the selection process.

Singh’s gold in Paris adds to his growing list of international accomplishments, which includes a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and multiple medals at the Para Asian Games. He won a gold in the 2018 Para Asian Games and a bronze in the 2022 edition. Singh's consistency in international competitions, including archery’s highest level, underscores his status as one of India’s top para-athletes. His performance in Paris was significant, as he became the first Indian to win an individual gold in archery at the Paralympics.

The initial list of Khel Ratna nominees for 2024 included men’s hockey player Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic high jumper Praveen Kumar. The absence of other notable athletes, such as double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, has led to controversy and concerns over the fairness of the process. Harvinder Singh’s omission, in particular, has drawn attention, especially given the precedent set in 2021 when all Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists from the Tokyo 2020 Games were awarded the Khel Ratna, including Paralympic gold medallists Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Pramod Bhagat.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has clarified that the list of Khel Ratna nominees is still in the process of being finalized. This has not calmed the discussions, as athletes and their supporters are questioning the criteria and consistency in the selection process. It is also noted that the selection committee has the discretion to nominate athletes who may not have applied but whose achievements are considered noteworthy. This has led to further debate on whether Singh’s historic win should have made him a clear contender for the award.

The Khel Ratna selection committee is led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian and comprises other prominent figures such as former women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, boxer Vijender Singh, and cricket legend Anil Kumble. The committee is tasked with reviewing applications and selecting athletes who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective sports. The committee also has the authority to consider athletes outside of the application process if deemed necessary. The final list of Khel Ratna awardees for 2024 has not yet been confirmed.

In 2021, the Khel Ratna Award was extended not only to Olympic medalists but also to Paralympic gold medallists, including shooter Avani Lekhara, javelin thrower Sumit Antil, and para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat. Given this precedent, the omission of Singh, who won a gold at the 2024 Paralympics, has raised questions about the consistency in awarding the honor to Paralympic athletes. Harvinder Singh's supporters argue that his groundbreaking achievements in archery and consistent performance in international competitions merit consideration for the Khel Ratna Award.

The Khel Ratna Award is one of India’s highest honors, presented annually to athletes who have shown exceptional performance and contribution to Indian sports. The award process includes reviewing applications, assessing athlete performances, and holding discussions within the selection committee. The final list of awardees is expected to be announced soon, though the ongoing debates about the inclusion of certain athletes, including Harvinder Singh, continue to highlight concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process.