By IANS,
New Delhi : Beijing Olympics bronze medal winning wrestler Sushil Kumar should have been given a Padma award, says his coach and former grappler Satpal.
“He was the one who got medal in wrestling after 50-60 years. He is an idol for young wrestlers. He should have got the Padma award,” Satpal added.
“I had a word with Sushil. He was sad for not getting the Padma award. We do not play for awards, but awards like Padma could have given encouragement to sportspersons for preparation of Commonwealth Games and 2012 Olympics,” Satpal, an Arjuna Award winner and additional director of education in Delhi government, said.
While Beijing Olympics gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra got the Padma Bhushan last year, bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh was named for the Padma Shri this time.
Kumar had said it was baffling to see the government completely ignore him.
“I am deeply hurt and pained. Would anyone care to tell me why I was not considered for one of the country’s highest awards?” Kumar had said.
“What more do I need to do to prove my talent and worth to the government? I’m pained and I hope they realise it,” Kumar said.