Questions raised over process of Ronjan Sodhi's Khel Ratna recommendation

The Khel Ratna row revolved around discus thrower Krishna Poonia and Paralympic silver medallist HN Girisha who lost out to shooter Ronjan Sodhi.

BANGALORE/NEW DELHI: Controversy returned to rack the sports awards on Tuesday, with a selection committee member dissenting on the way one of the 16 choices agreed upon for the Arjuna award was dropped in his absence, and top athletes protesting after been ignored for the Khel Ratna.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) director general Jiji Thomson, who was one of the members of the committee, expressed his displeasure to the sports ministry that the name of former international volleyball player Tom Joseph, who was one of the 16 athletes chosen for the Arjuna, was removed from the list in his absence.

"Thomson has dissented, obviously upset that the other members struck out Joseph's name from the list in his absence. He has made it clear that he has nothing against the other 15 chosen. He was not happy with the way Joseph's name was deleted," ministry sources told TOI.

The onus is now on the sports ministry to decide whether they will endorse the 15 names forwarded by the committee or include the 16th name in this year's Arjuna awards list. "We will take a decision on this soon," they said.

The Khel Ratna row revolved around discus thrower Krishna Poonia and Paralympic silver medallist HN Girisha who lost out to shooter Ronjan Sodhi. Sources in the selection committee contended that Poonia and Girisha were shortlisted for voting by 11 out of 12 panelists with Sodhi's name not in contention. Poonia garnered an 8-3 verdict before one panel member made a late entry and swung the vote in favour of Sodhi. The ministry was rather curt in its response saying it wouldn't interfere until the situation demanded it.

"We have taken pains to ensure that the selection committee can decide fairly without any external pressure. We will not change or chop with any of their choices until we are fully convinced that they are grossly unjust," sources said. Poonia was disappointed. "We talk about bringing change in the society, but no one supports you when it is time to encourage. My achievements, despite having a 12-year-old son, speak for themselves. I don't mind Sodhi getting the award, but I want to ask the sports minister why was I ignored?" she fumed
.