The controversy around National sports awards continues to get murkier

After leading wrestler Bajrang Punia threatened to move court, 2016 Paralympics silver medalist Deepa Malik also raised questions over the process.  

Speaking to Republic TV, the first Indian woman to win a silver at the Olympics stage, Deepa was dismayed. She raised several concerns. 'As per the government's own points system, Olympics and Paralympics are ranked the same and have the same amount of points for each category of medal. Then why is it that again this year, after 2016, the awards have been decided and announced by keeping 2018 CWG and Asian games but the Asian Para Games have not even started yet? Events of the same year should be taken into account the same year for both Olympics and Paralympics, CWG and Asian Games.' 

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This is not the first time that athletes have questioned the process. And also not the first time that the awards seem biased and catering more to able-bodied sports against the para-athletes. 

In the four year period of consideration for Khel Ratna, from 2014 till 2017, Deepa has won the Paralympics and Asian Games silver which itself give her 95 points without the committee’s added points. 

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Deepa said that while the job of the athlete is to represent the country and win laurels, steps should be taken to reduce the arbitrariness. 'There is a lot of ambiguity. If it's about points, then I have the points. If it is about Olympics medals, then I have a Paralympics medal, I have the uniqueness of having many firsts, the first woman at Paralympics, Asian Games, world championships, currently holding an Asian record. The form closes at the end of the previous year, but if you are considering the current year then why not for both able-bodied and para-athletes? I don't see how I am not in the run? The least that should be done is to have equal criteria for para-sports.'  

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