A National Oversight - Why Rahul Dravid Must Get the Dronacharya Award

National sports award announcements are always eagerly looked out for, but controversies continue to mar this prestigious event every year. This year was no exception, with the glaring omissions of the shooter Manu Bhaker from the Khel Ratna list and Rahul Dravid from consideration for Dronacharya Award. All such oversights raise fundamental questions about the process and integrity of the system responsible for honoring the nation's sporting achievers.

Manu Bhaker Khel Ratna Exclusion - An Unnecessary Scandal

Two-time Olympic bronze medal winner from Paris 2024 Olympics, Manu Bhaker, became an embarrassed person. This happened as she was omitted from the list of this prestigious Khel Ratna list. On December 24, she posted her response on social media citing some glitch during the process while filing the online form.

In respect of Manu, while there have been instances where she showed nobility in speaking about her issue, it is something that shouldn't happen, especially for an athlete such as this. It reflects on whether a champion at her level deserves such care. Things got worse and worst when media houses were airing statements that she was most certainly going to be included on the final list. This avoidable episode needs the transparency and better management of the nomination process.

Rahul Dravid: The Most Deserving Dronacharya

The most glaring omission is Rahul Dravid. The man's contribution to Indian cricket is such that he should be an automatic choice for the Dronacharya Award. It is not that Dravid, fondly known as "The Wall" or "Jammy," didn't lead India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024; in fact, he has a long history as a coach.

Dravid's coaching career started with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and then went on to coach the India A team and the senior men's cricket team. Under his tutelage, India has won several matches, including reaching the final of the ICC World Test Championship and winning the T20 World Cup. Despite all these credentials, Dravid has not been officially considered for the Dronacharya Award, which has left sports enthusiasts and experts baffled.

A System in Need of Reform

The system in place currently, that demands an application from an athlete and coach for some recognition, is grossly flawed. Dravid does not deserve to have to campaign for his accolades. Former Dronacharya Awardee Jaspal Rana aptly asks, "Why should an athlete apply for an award? Do people not know what they have done for the country?"

Rana's critique reveals red tape and lack of accountability in the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. The process not only undermines the achievements of those who deserve but also subordinates them to unnecessary indignities.

The Way Forward

The Sports Ministry and the selection committee must introspect. A total overhaul of the present system is long overdue. Introducing a public voting mechanism or using intelligence-driven evaluations could ensure that deserving people like Dravid are recognized without bias or oversight.

It would have been great to see the personal coaches of athletes like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in past award lists. This would further emphasize the glaring omission of Dravid, which is puzzling given that a coach who has consistently delivered at the highest level has been ignored, while others with lesser credentials have been celebrated.

A Call to Action

As the Sports Minister readies the final list of awardees, this is a correction that must be made. Rahul Dravid is not just excluded; he is being done a disservice to both the sport and the nation. To recognize Dravid's unparalleled contribution would not only be an honor to him but also inspire countless young athletes and coaches.

The National Sports Awards are meant to commemorate excellence, not to indulge in controversy. The very systemic flaws addressed above must be redressed by the Ministry so that the award process regains the peoples' trust and ensures the future awards reflect the best Indian sports have to offer.

The nation owes Rahul Dravid the recognition he richly deserves as a Dronacharya in every sense of the word.