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Punjab
withdrew 40-yr-old cricketer’s nomination
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New Delhi(Agencies): Veteran
Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh said on Saturday that it was he himself who
asked the Punjab government to withdraw his nomination for the prestigious
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
In a series of tweets,
Harbhajan said that he is not eligible for the award, which is the highest
sporting honour in the country.
"1.Dear friends I have
been flooded with calls as to why Punjab Govt withdrew my name from Khel Ratna
nominations. The truth is I am not eligible for Khel Ratna which primarily
considers the international performances in last three years.'"
"2.The Punjab Govt is not
at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name. Would urge my friends in
media not to speculate. Thank you and regards," he tweeted.
"Lot of confusion &
speculation regarding my nomination for Khel Ratna so let me clarify. Yes last
year the nomination was sent late but this year I only asked Punjab Govt to
withdraw my nomination because I don't fall under the 3-year eligibility
criteria. Don't speculate further." The Sports Ministry, in its document
in which it explains the eligibility for anyone to be nominated for the Khel
Ratna, among other points, says "spectacular and outstanding performances
in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years
immediately preceding the year during which the award is to be given shall be
honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award."
Harbhajan's nomination for the
award was rejected last year after the Punjab government had sent the documents
to the Sports Ministry after the last date for the same had passed.
This year, however, the
nomination was filed on time, only for the state government to take it back
with no explanation.
Harbhajan was part of the
Indian teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup.
With 417 wickets, he is India's third-highest
wicket-taker in Test cricket after Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434). IANS
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