On Wednesday, Indian wrestler Babita Phogat said that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award should be named after a distinguished player. Babita tweeted, "Sports-related awards should be in the name of a great or respected player, and not in the name of any politician. How did you like the suggestion to change the name of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to the name of a player?"
When the reporters sought her response on the matter, Babita said, "The Khel Ratna Award has been named after Rajiv Gandhi. Instead, it would have been better if it was in the name of a player". She said, "Our India has so many Olympic and world winners".
खेलों से सम्बंधित पुरस्कार सिर्फ़ महान व सम्मानित खिलाड़ियों के नाम पर ही होना चाहिए ना कि किसी ‘राजनैतिक व्यक्ति’ के। ‘राजीव गांधी रत्नखेल ’ पुरस्कार का नाम बदलकर किसी खिलाड़ी के नाम पर किए जाने का सुझाव आपको कैसा लगा। #खेलरत्न_खिलाड़ी_के_नाम_पर
— Babita Phogat (@BabitaPhogat) September 2, 2020
She said, "Players will also feel more proud by taking awards if it is in the name of a reputed player." The Khel Ratna is India's highest sporting honour and is named after former PM Rajiv Gandhi. This statement of Babita Phoghat has created a rage, now it is to see whether the name of the award will be changed or not.
Arsenal wins Community Shield title besting Liverpool in the penalty shootout
This player became the first Indian player to win the main draw of a Grand Slam after 2013