Bhubaneswar: In a disappointment for Odisha, its ace sprinter Dutee Chand's nomination for Arjuna award was rejected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, reported news agency ANI quoting sources.
As per the ANI report, due to filing of nomination by the State government after the deadline, her name was removed. Also, Dutee's medals were also not in order of ranking. She stands at fifth position, reported ANI quoting a source in the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Speaking on the issue, Dutee said that she met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and requested him to resend her file to the Sports Ministry for Arjuna award. The CM has assured her that the nomination will be sent again and asked Dutee to prepare for upcoming events, said Dutee to ANI.
On July 10, 23-year-old Dutee clocked 11.32 seconds to clinch the gold at the World University Games in Naples, thus becoming only the second Indian sprinter to win gold in an international event after Hima Das, who finished on top in 400m at the World Junior Athletics Championships last year.
Similarly, cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s nomination for Khel Ratna was also rejected for the same reason.