December 06, 2025 09:17 am (IST)
Pity that athletes feel they have to lobby for awards: Omar
Jammu, Jan 6 (IBNS): Outgoing Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday regretted that Indian athletes feel they have to "lobby" to receive awards.
"It's a great pity that our athletes feel they have to lobby & threaten to receive awards, criteria based on merit should be all that decides," Abdullah tweeted.
This comes after reports said that boxer Vijender Singh on Tuesday asked the Boxing Federation to recommend his name to the Sports Ministry for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.
After the Union Sports Ministry has decided to recommend Saina Nehwal’s name for Padma Bhushan awards, the controversy over Vijender Singh lobbying for awards surfaced.
Following the row, Abdullah said, "There is something rather off putting seeing our most accomplished sportspersons jostling each other to jump the "Padma" award queue."
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Unbelievable! Team Hemant Jalan and other top contenders smash their way to seniors bridge semi-finals — scores will shock you!
Fri, Dec 05 2025
Skal International Kolkata, WBCADA to hold exhibition match celebrating inclusivity and resilience
Wed, Dec 03 2025
Vidhya Patel, Kalpana Gurjar won Amla Ruia Women's Pairs title in Ashok Ruia Memorial Winter National Bridge Championship
Tue, Dec 02 2025
National Bridge Championship: Kamna Sharma & Richa Sriram top qualifiers, advance to finals with eleven other pairs
Mon, Dec 01 2025
More than 700 players to compete in 67th Ashok Ruia Memorial National Bridge Championship in New Town from Dec 1
Mon, Dec 01 2025
Virat Kohli’s epic celebration! Punches air, kisses locket, thanks Almighty after stunning 52nd ODI ton in Ranchi
Sun, Nov 30 2025
Jemimah Rodrigues opts out of remainder of WBBL season after Smriti Mandhana's wedding gets postponed
Thu, Nov 27 2025
Smriti Mandhana’s fiance Palash Muchhal discharged — wedding date still a mystery amid viral chat scandal
Wed, Nov 26 2025
