New Delhi: Devendra Jhajharia became Tuesday the first para athlete to receive India’s highest sporting honour – the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna – along with hockey star Sardar Singh, who has endured trying times off the field in the last one year.
Javelin thrower Jhajharia is the only Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals – 2004 Athens Games and 2016 Rio Paralympics – while star mid-fielder Sardar has been the architect of India hockey team’s many victories in the last few years.
The 36-year-old Jhajharia had created world records while winning both his gold medals. He had also clinched a gold medal at the 2013 World Championships. The 31-year-old Sardar had become India’s youngest captain when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the age of 22.
A recipient of the Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian award in 2015, Sardar has two Asian Games medals – gold at the 2014 Incheon Asiad and bronze in at 2010 Guangzhou.
Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the 17 Arjuna Awardees chosen this year, did not attend the ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan due to his county commitments in England.
All other awardees received their awards and citation from President Ram Nath Kovind, on the occasion of National Sports Day.
Jhajharia was not the only para athlete whose achievements got official recognition, as Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati were honoured with the Arjuna.
Mariyappan had won the men’s high jump (F46) gold medal at the Rio Olympics while Bhati had claimed a silver in the same event.
Khel Ratna awardees: Devendra Jhajharia (para-athlete) and Sardar Singh (hockey)
Arjuna Awardees: VJ Surekha (archery), Khushbir Kaur and Arokin Rajiv (both Athletics), Prasanthi Singh (basketball), L Devendro Singh (boxing), Cheteshwar Pujara and Harmanpreet Kaur (both cricket), Oinam Bembem Devi (football), SSP Chawrasia (golf), SV Sunil (hockey), Jasvir Singh (kabaddi), PN Prakash (shooting), Anthony Amalraj (table tennis), Saketh Myneni (tennis), Satyawart Kadian (wrestling), Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati (both para-athlete).
Jhajharia wants support for Indian para-athletes
Devendra Jhajharia who became the first para athlete to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, said that the state governments ‘need to do more’ for the disabled athletes.
“It’s a historic day for Indian para-athletes. There are five crore such athletes and they need more support,” Jhajaria told this agency during an interaction after the ceremony.
“The state governments need to do more. There should be separate grounds with facilities such as ramps and easy movements for wheelchair-bound athletes and blinds,” he added. said.
The 36-year-old Jhajharia said he would like to dedicate this award to his mother and his seven-year-old daughter.
“My mother has been my support all through. She has done a lot for me,” Jhajharia, who also clinched a gold medal at the 2013 World Championships, said. “My daughter had told me that I would win the gold in Rio in 2016. Without that gold, I probably wouldn’t have won this award. So she has also been a great inspiration for me.”
The 31-year-old Sardar has faced allegations of sexual harassment by a Indian-origin British hockey player. He, however, denied the allegations and the government committee, led by justice CK Thakkar, chose him for the honour.
“I did not think of such things. After sending application, I did not think of it (award). I was just focusing on my game. With this award and with my age, I need to be more responsible with my game,” Sardar said.
“I want to do well at the 2018 Asian Championships. When you do well, all the recognition and awards automatically come to you.” Sardar, who was accompanied by his parents, said.
Press trust of india
