Govil, Devanath asked for details of achievements

The Delhi high court on Tuesday asked two sportspersons selected for this year's Arjuna awards for lifetime contribution to file details of their achievments.

Directing the lawyers of Rachna Govil, presently a Deputy Director with the Sports Authority of India, and Kalpana Devanath, whose selection for the award has been challenged by reigning Asian discuss throw champion Anil Kumar, to give deatils of their achievemnts, Justice Mukul Mudgal fixed the next date of hearing for September 27.

Anil Kumar had challenged the selection of Govil and Devanath for the prestigious award on the grounds that they do not have any remarkable achievement to their credit.

The court made it clear that the reply should contain the details of their sporting career with regard to their participation in national and international events, like the Asian Games and Olympics, and the positions secured by them.

The court, however, refused to stay the awards ceremony, saying it is not possible considering its importance.

Meanwhile, government counsel informed the court that the awards ceremony is fixed for September 29.

The court, in an earlier hearing, had issued notices to the Centre and SAI seeking their replies on why the conferrment of awards on Govil and Devanath should not be stayed.

Expressing concern over the manner in which selections were made for the award, Justice Mudgal had observed that the bureaucracy has taken a grip over the National awards, which should be given only to outstanding sportspersons.

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