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New Delhi, July 18: Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday clarified the Punjab government's decision to withdraw his nomination for this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award as he doesn't fit in the eligibility criteria for country's highest sporting honour.
"I have been flooded with calls as to why Punjab Govt withdrew my name from Khel Ratna nominations. The truth is I am not eligible for Khel Ratna which primarily considers the international performances in last three years," the 40-year-old cricketer tweeted.
1.Dear friends
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020
I have been flooded with calls as to why Punjab Govt withdrew my name from Khel Ratna nominations. The truth is I am not eligible for Khel Ratna which primarily considers the international performances in last three years.
2.The Punjab Govt is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name. Would urge my friends in media not to speculate. Thank you and regards 🙏🙏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020
"The Punjab Govt is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name. Would urge my friends in media not to speculate."
Harbhajan, who has 417 Test and 269 ODI wickets is an Arjuna Awardee and was also conferred with Padma Shri. Harbhajan last represented India in Test and ODIs in 2015.
Lot of confusion & speculation regarding my nomination for Khel Ratna so let me clarify. Yes last year the nomination was sent late but this year I only asked Punjab Govt to withdraw my nomination because I don’t fall under the 3-year eligibility criteria. Don’t speculate further
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020
Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said that his department withdrew the nomination only after receiving an email from Harbhajan, stating that he didn't meet the eligibility criteria for the award.
"We had strongly recommended his nomination. But before it could go to the screening committee or scrutiny committee, he (Harbhajan) advised us to withdraw his application," Sodhi told PTI.
"I think he must have seen the latest criteria which the government of India has for the Khel Ratna award and may be something which he noticed that it cannot happen or maybe he is thinking over applying for some other award. Whenever he asks us, we will recommend him because he is a top sportsman and a very fine gentleman. Punjab sports department has no issues," said Sodhi.
Last year, Harbhajan's nomination for the Khel Ratna was rejected by the Sports Ministry on grounds that his documents had reached late.
The cricketer had requested the Punjab sports minister to intervene at the time. Harbhajan, who has 417 Test and 269 ODI wickets respectively, is an Arjuna Awardee and was also conferred with the Padma Shri. He last represented India in Test and ODIs in 2015.
