Dhyan Chand award: Gavaskar, Amritraj ignored

Sources said that despite their huge contribution to their respective sports, both Gavaskar and Amritraj have not been chosen. 

NEW DELHI: Two legends of Indian sport, former cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar and tennis star Vijay Amritraj were on Wednesday ignored for the prestigious Dhyan Chand award as the award panel picked four others, including former hockey player Syed Ali, for the honour which will be conferred later this month.

Athlete Marie D'Souza, wrestler Anil Maan and Paralympian Giriraj Singh are the other tree picked for this award which is given for life-long contribution to sports.

Sources said that despite their huge contribution to their respective sports, both Gavaskar and Amritraj have not been chosen for the award on the ground that they have already been given the Arjuna award during their playing career.

This logic, however, makes little sense. Giving the two stalwarts this award named after 'the wizard' would have only added to the prestige of this award.

The panel will forward the names to the sports ministry for ratification.