The Sports Ministry on Friday decided against granting the Arjuna award to former Khel Ratna winners Sakshi Malik and Mirabai Chanu. This has shortened the list from 29 to 27. The Ministry has accepted an unprecedented five recommendations for the country’s highest sporting honour this year.
Last week, a committee had recommended 29 names for the Arjuna Award to the Sports Ministry. The list included Rio Olympics bronze medal-winner for wrestling Sakshi and 2017 weightlifting world champion Mirabai.
They had already won the Khel Ratna. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had to decide on bestowing the Arjuna on them.
The award ceremony will take place virtually on August 29 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every year, the event takes place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.