New Delhi: Indian badminton sensation Saina Nehwal stated on Monday that who is she to demand the Padma Bhushan award, with stories in the media running after she had expressed her disappointment for not being nominated for the prestigious award.
The sports ministry on Monday decided to recommend her name for the Padma Bhushan award.
“Don’t know why it was shown that I demanded the award. I just wanted to know why my name wasn’t recommended, ” furious Saina stated on Monday.
She also added that she has never asked for awards on previous occasions and is proud to represent her country.
Saina expressed her gratitude towards Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, after her name was forwarded for the award to the jury. “It’s a quick action, Sonowal sir is a great supporter. I would really like to thank him,” said the 2012 Olympics Bronze medallist.
She also acknowledged the fact that she is happy with her name being sent and now it is up to the jury to decide.
The Hyderabadi sensation who had stated earlier that if wrestler Sushil Kumar’s name was sent as a special case, then why was she snubbed, clarified her stance on the statement. “Sushil is a great friend. People made it big. I am upset about this. This is not the way how it should have been put,” she stated.
Earlier, Saina had showed disappointment after not being nominated for the prestigious award.
Saina had said that the Badminton Association of India (BAI) had recommended her name for the Padma Bhushan in August last year but the Sports Ministry rejected her application, citing norms.