In view of the achievements of Saina Nehwal, the Department of Sports has decided to recommend her case for Padma Bhushan to the Ministry of Home Affairs as a special case although the last date for making the recommendation is long over.

After a row erupted Sunday over the letter of nomination of badminton star Saina Nehwal for the Padma Bhushan, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said it will “examine the possibility of recommending” the name of the Olympic bronze-medallist for the award.

Union Sports Ministry also said that it had received the recommendation only a day before on Saturday from the BAI which maintained that this was sent in August.

Earlier, Saina had expressed disappointment at the Sports Ministry rejecting her application for the prestigious Padma Bhushan this year but Sonowal sought to put the record straight, saying that his ministry received the letter of nomination on 3rd January 2015.

“I think Saina is a deserving candidate and she needs to be considered for the Padma Bhushan, or else it will be an injustice to her,” BAI President Akhilesh Das Gupta said.

The Departments of Sports recommended the name of Shri Sushil Kumar (wrestling) for Padma Bhushan. The recommendation was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs on 15.09.2014.

Sushil Kumar’s recommendation for Padma Bhushan Award was made after taking into consideration his achievements, viz. Bronze Medal in Beijing Olympic Games-2008; Gold medal in Commonwealth Games-2010; Gold Medal in Senior World Wrestling Championship-2010; Silver Medal in London Olympic Games-2012; Gold Medal in Commonwealth Games-2014; and several other achievements at national and international level.

“I would like to categorically state that Saina Nehwal has made every Indian proud and I sincerely hope she will continue to bring laurels to Indian sports,” Sonowal said.

Source: ITN