Boxer M.C. Mary Kom, who is in the selection panel that will recommend names for the Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dhyanchand and Dronacharya awards to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has recused herself from the meeting because her personal coach Chhote Lal Yadav’s name was also to be discussed for the Dronacharya award.
Recently, there was widespread criticism for she being part of the 12-member committee, which has to nominate names for national awards for excellence in sports and the name of her own coach is in the list of candidates proposed.
Hence, the boxer decided to stay away from the meeting when her coach’s name will be discussed. According to sources, Mary, in fact wanted to resign from the committee after the media reports appeared pointing at a case of conflict of interest against her.
However, on Mary’s recommendation only the Boxing Federation of India had nominated Yadav.
Besides Mary, the other athletes in the selection panel include; former footballer Baichung Bhutia, former long-jumper Anju Bobby George, former women’s cricket team captain Anjum Chopra and table tennis coach Kamlesh Mehta – that will recommend names for the Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dhyanchand and Dronacharya awards to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
The other prominent names in the selection panel include Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd) Mukundakam Sharma, Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Jhulaniya, Sports Authority of India Director General Sandeep Pradhan and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO, Commander Rajesh Rajagopalan.
