The veteran Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh has gone on to give clarification regarding his name was withdrawn by the Punjab government from the Khel Ratna award shortlist, stating the reason behind him not being eligible. Harbhajan explained that an athlete’s performance over the last 3 years has to be taken into consideration for him/her to get shortlisted for the award. However, he played his last international match for India in 2016.
Tweeting about the same, Harbhajan wrote: “Dear friends, 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.”
ALSO READ: Harbhajan Singh Still Feels He Can Compete With The Best Spinner
He further added, “The Punjab Govt is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name.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.”
1.Dear friends
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.— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 18, 2020
2.The Punjab Govt is not at fault here as they have rightly withdrawn my name.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
Last year Harbhajan’s nomination for the Khel Ratna award was rejected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) as his documents reached late. He then went in to request Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi to intervene in the matter and the minister subsequently ordered a probe into the alleged delay in sending his documents to the center.
But this time Bhajji acknowledge that this time he himself asked the Punjab government not to nominate him for the prestigious award.
ALSO READ: Graeme Smith Decides To Take The Knee To Support “Black Lives Matter”
Explaining the same, Harbhajan Singh said, “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.”
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
Bhajji last played for India in the 9th match of the Asia Cup 2016 against the United Arab Emirates. He is the 3rd-most successful bowler for India as he scalped 417 wickets in 103 Tests. He also scalped as many as 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and 25 scalps from 28 T20Is for India since his international debut in 1998.
