A justifiable protest

Sir, - Mr. Milkha Singh rejecting the Arjuna award (Aug. 17): it is sad that this great son of India, who inscribed the country's name on many a track and field, was considered for the award after so many years and only after so many also-rans and also- played had received it. It makes a mockery of the entire procedure for granting the award. He had no alternative to rejecting the award so that more than his honour, the honour of sports is not belittled.

In all fairness, a new award should be instituted forthwith and Mr. Singh should be the first person to get it in order to redress the injustice done to him.

This episode reflects the lack of involvement of all concerned with sports, right from sports bodies to the Government.

No wonder, when smaller, developing countries are able to win medals in Olympic and international sports events, we, with a population of one billion and all the latent talent, sit like a forlorn child on the sidelines.

G. Leo Joseph,

Chennai

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Section  : Opinion
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