Pankaj Advani Against Sportspersons Lobbying for National Awards
Pankaj Advani is the only player ever to win professional world titles in both the long and short formats of snooker and both formats of English billiards.
Top civilian and sports honours in India have been plagued with controversies in recent years. With athletes crying foul over being ignored -- some even demanding the honour -- the prestige associated with the tribute seems to have lost some of its sheen. Professional billiards and snooker star Pankaj Advani is upset that top athletes are lobbying for national awards.
Saina Nehwal, last month, became the latest in the list of sportspersons crying foul over not being chosen for the Padma Bhusan, India's third-highest civilian award. While her achievements are indeed spectacular, her protests came as a surprise to many. Although she was later nominated by the sports ministry, Advani consider it below his dignity to petition.
"I would never do such a thing, it is not my style. But they thought it was right to go out in the public and create a media outburst," Advani said in Kolkata on Monday. The 29-year-old Advani was bestowed the Arjuna Award in 2004, the Khel Ratna in 2006 and Padma Shri in 2009.
Honouring sportspersons is recognizing their hard-work, talent and the prestige that they have brought for the country. Advani believes that every sportsperson should let their performance speak for them.
"Let your performance do the talking and awards will surely come your way," said Advani, who is the only player ever to win professional world titles in both the long and short formats of snooker and both formats of English billiards.
In India, sportspersons are usually recommended for awards by their respective sports federations. In the case of Sania, sports ministry said Badminton Association of India had failed to meet the deadline.
While national awards should not get entangled in government and bureaucratic hurdles, Advani feels creating a scene is quite uncalled for.
"Just because some people make a hue and cry in public does not make the award less important, it (Padma Bhushan) has a high credibility being the third highest civilian award in India," said the Asian Games gold medallist.
(With inputs from IANS)