National Sports Awards: How can Sports Ministry forget Rahul Dravid for Dronacharya Award?

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The National Sports Awards official announcement can come out any day. Needlessly, a controversy has been created, where the name of Manu Bhaker is missing. Manu, herself, put out a post on social media on December 24, there may have been an oversight on her part while applying online.

That she 'admitted' a possible glitch online is something magnanimous. But at the same time, does a champion who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics and finished fourth in the sports pistol need to be put through such needless embarrassment needs to be answered by officials.

Stories have been planted in newspapers Manu will get the award when the official list is made public. The point is, why was this news leaked to two newspapers. It was a sensation which was needless. It is also obvious Manu needed to put out a post on her social media handles to ensure the flames are doused. Well done, Manu.

I come to the point where one man deserves to be an automatic choice for the Dronacharya Award, Rahul Dravid. The Wall, or Jammy, as he is fondly addressed, won India the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies this June. Sample this, Dravid wanted to say goodbye in November 2023 when India lost the ICC ODI World Cup final to Australia. Skipper Rohit Sharma asked him to continue, obviously after getting permission from the BCCI bosses. Dravid obliged and the magic which India created in the T20 format World Cup was lovely.

The point is not if Rahul Dravid applied for the Dronacharya Award or not. Even if he did not, his case must have been taken up as the most outstanding. A legend batter, a former captain who embraced coaching. Go through his coaching credentials from the NCA to India A team and what he did for the men's team.

It's outstanding, not to forget he guided India to the ICC World Test Championship final as well. If this is not recognised, it's a shame. All the babus in the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India must apologise to Dravid. He is the most sincere coach who should have been awarded the Dronacharya. He has not said a word, nor has the BCCI. All the more reason, this intrigue.

Agreed, in an Olympic year, there are more 'Dronacharyas' who will get the award. When personal coaches of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli got the Dronacharya Award, does Dravid not deserve it? The whole system sucks. Disband this committee system, put out a voting system online. Let people decide.

As my good friend Jaspal Rana says: "Why should an athlete apply for an award. Do people not know what they have done for the country. Is this the respect a coach or athlete gets for delivering for the nation," he told MyKhel. Himself a Dronacharya recipient, Jaspal Rana understands what are the intricacies in 'campaigning' for awards. Sadly, this should not be the case.

Back to Rahul Dravid, a correction be made when the Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandviya finally signs the awardees list. Were the committee members illiterate, who don't know which Indian stars -- athletes and coaches -- needed to be picked. A message for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, scrap this system where you want people to apply. Use own intelligence. Come on, do a public opinion and decide, after due diligence. To hell with these deadlines, as it is the 2024 National Sports Awards will be given in 2025 at the earliest!

Don't ignore Rahul Dravid, the most deserving guru. A Dronacharya in every sense. Please.