After Manu Bhaker, para-archer Harvinder Singh laments 'discrimination in sports' after Khel Ratna snub

Para-archer Harvinder Singh laments 'discrimination in sports' after Khel Ratna snub

Para-archer Harvinder Singh, who won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, called out "discrimination" after his name didn't feature in the list of nominees of for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Harvinder etched history earlier this year by clinching the gold medal in men's individual recurve event, which marked the country's first gold in archery at Paralympics. However, upon finding his name missing from the list of 30 shortlisted candidates, the Haryana-based para-archer took to social media to express his disappointed.

"'Discrimination in sports' Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medalists were awarded by Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, but what about Paris 2024 Paralympic Gold medalists? Same Competition, Same Gold, same pride, why not same award?" he wrote on X and tagged the Prime Minister's office.

"Discrimination in sportsTokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medalists were awarded by Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, but what about Paris 2024 Paralympic Gold medalists? Same Competition, Same Gold, same pride, why not same award? #KhelRatnaAward" @PMOIndia @PTI_News @ANI @
Harvinder Singh (Archery) (@ArcherHarvinder) December 24, 2024

Jiwanjot Singh Teja, Harvinder's coach and a Dronacharya awardee, also joined in to lament the same. He shared a screenshot of a mail addressed to the concerned committe to consider his ward for the honour. "In 2021, all Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists were honored with the Khel Ratna Award. I humbly request your kind consideration for Harvinder, who made history with India's 1st individual Paralympic Gold and multiple other medals. His achievements inspire us all," he wrote while sharing the screenshot on the same platform.

In 2021, all Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic gold medalists were honored with the Khel Ratna Award. I humbly request your kind consideration for Harvinder, who made history with India's 1st individual Paralympic Gold & multiple other medals. His achievements inspire us all. pic.twitter.com/KLs8p9u3Ev Jiwanjot Singh Teja (@tejacoach) December 24, 2024

In the mail, Jiwanjot highlighted the achievements of Harvinder, which include first Indian para-archer to win gold in Paralympics, first Indian para-archer to win bronze in Paralympics, the only para-archer to win gold at Para Asian Games and a bronze at the 2022 edition.

India's ace shooter Manu Bhaker is another high-profile name, whose name is missing from the shortlisted candidates. The shooter became the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in one single edition. She also took to X to address the same, stating there may have been some mistakes from her end while filing the nominations.