Harbhajan Singh Says Punjab Government Withdrew His Khel Ratna Nomination As He Is “Not Eligible” | Cricket News

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday clarified that the Punjab govt withdrew his nomination for this yr’s Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award as he does not are compatible within the eligibility standards for the rustic’s easiest carrying honour. Amid hypothesis over the withdrawal of his nomination, Harbhajan sought to transparent the air. “I’ve been flooded with calls as to why Punjab Executive withdrew my identify from Khel Ratna nominations. Actually It’s not that i am eligible for Khel Ratna which basically considers the global performances in final 3 years,” the 40-year-old cricketer tweeted.

“The Punjab Executive isn’t at fault right here as they have got rightly withdrawn my identify. Would urge my buddies in media to not speculate.”

Punjab Sports activities Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi mentioned that his division withdrew the nomination most effective after receiving an e mail from Harbhajan, declaring that he did not meet the eligibility standards for the award.

“We had strongly beneficial his nomination. However prior to it might cross to the screening committee or scrutiny committee, he (Harbhajan) urged us to withdraw his utility,” Sodhi informed PTI.

“I feel he will have to have noticed the most recent standards which the federal government of India has for the Khel Ratna award and is also one thing which he spotted that it can’t occur or perhaps he’s considering over making use of for another award. On every occasion he asks us, we can counsel him as a result of he’s a best sportsman and an overly superb gentleman. Punjab sports activities division has no problems,” mentioned Sodhi.

Remaining yr, Harbhajan’s nomination for the Khel Ratna was rejected by the Sports Ministry on grounds that his documents had reached late.

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The cricketer had asked the Punjab sports activities minister to intrude on the time.

Harbhajan, who has 417 Take a look at and 269 ODI wickets respectively, is an Arjuna Awardee and was once additionally conferred with the Padma Shri. He final represented India in Take a look at and ODIs in 2015.