Manoj Kumar to be reconsidered for Arjuna Award after Central Government intervenes

On August 12, Indian boxer, Manoj Kumar, learned that he had not been included¹on the awardees’ shortlist for the Arjuna Award, a scholarship for outstanding athletic achievement on an international level (see the Shceme for the Arjuna Awards - ‘the Scheme’).²

It transpired, however, that Kumar was overlooked as a result of an error by the Sports Ministry’s³ Arjuna Awards Selection Committee (the “Committee”),⁴ who mistook him for a different boxer with the same name previously involved in doping. 

After a representation by Kumar, the Committee reconsidered but still chose not to include him, without giving reasons.  This was despite, according to Kumar, the Sports Ministry ensuring him he would be included this time round.⁶   

Consequently, Kumar filed a petition against the Committee at the Delhi High Court⁷ containing two applications: first, asking the Committee’s to reconsider him for the shortlist and seeking a corresponding stay of the Arjuna Award ceremony; and, secondly, to quash the Committee altogether and “reconstituting [it] to include a majority of sportspersons as per the earlier scheme." ⁸   

At the initial hearing on August 26, the Court instructed the Sports Ministry to present details on the Committee’s selection policy and how the shortlist for the Arjuna Award is compiled.⁹