Support encourages discus thrower Poonia to seek Khel Ratna award

Support is building up for ace woman discuss thrower Krishna Poonia over her demand to be considered for the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (RGKR) award.

Congress Party leader Deepender Hooda met Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh today over the issue, and said he was assured that Poonia would be considered for the award.

"I believe that Krishna Poonia has brought pride and glory to the country. She is the sole Indian female athlete to have reached the finals of the Olympics. Additionally, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She has won medals at the World Championships and Asian Games, as well. So, without a doubt, I think she should be considered for the Khel Ratna Award," Hooda said.

"I thank the Sports Minister, who I met earlier, for saying that he will consider the issue in a positive and holistic manner. I have full faith that Krishna Poonia will receive the prestigious award," Hooda added.

Indian cricketer Virendra Sehwag also endorsed Poonia for the award.

"I think, based on her achievements, she should be considered for the Khel Ratna award. It is the dream of every athlete that, when they put up a good performance, they will be recognized by the government with an award. I have full faith that the government will take up the issue and consider her for the Khel Ratna Award," Sehwag said.

On Wednesday, Krishna Poonia said: "If the demand is that on good performance of one year this will be given, then why was it not given to me? The award is given based on achievements. My performance has been good; still the award is not given to me. I am hurt and take this as an insult to my achievements."

According to certain media reports, India's double trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi's name was not there when the majority of members decided to vote for the Khel Ratna awardee. His name was later brought back for consideration.

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (RGKR) is India's highest honour given for achievement in sports. The award is named after the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. It carries a medal, a scroll of honour and a substantial cash component.

Up to 2004-05, the cash component was Rs. 5, 00,000. The money has been increased from Rs. 5, 00,000 to Rs. 7, 50,000.

The award was instituted in the year 1991-92 to supply the lack of a supreme national accolade in the field of sports.

The Khel Ratna was devised to be an overarching honour, conferred for outstanding sporting performance, whether by an individual or a team, across all sporting disciplines in a given year.