Archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam expresses disappointment after being ignored for Khel Ratna Award

World No. 1 in both mixed and team debutant compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam has missed out on the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year despite a sensational performance at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. She has expressed disappointment at being ignored.

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In the last 6 months, Jyothi has won a total of 13 international medals, which are - three golds (individual, team and mixed team) at the Asiad, one gold and silver at the World Championships, four gold and two bronzes at the World Cup and a gold and silver medal in the Asian Championships. She won seven World Championship medals and three Asiad gold medals. She has also won 53 International and 62 National medals by the age of 27.

Jyothi did her own assessment to arrive at the total number of points earned as per the Khel Ratna criteria. He told Times of India, 'I have a total of 148.74 marks which is the highest among all the applicants and much more than the marks given to Satwik and Chirag. A double gold medal at the Asiad earned me 30 points and a women's team gold from the mixed team earned me 22 and 20 points respectively.'

Jyothi further added, "I am deeply disappointed and disheartened over the snub. I believe my achievements speak for me. I want to know the reasons from the sports ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the awards selection committee as to why my name wasn't considered for the Khel Ratna despite logging the highest points,"

When TOI contacted ministry and SAI officials, they declined to comment on Jyothi's removal from the Khel Ratna Award list. "We wouldn't like to comment," a SAI's spokesperson said. Surekha said she would be approaching the court if she wasn't offered a proper explanation. "I have that option but that's the last one. First of all, I want to know the reasons why my name wasn't considered before approaching the court."

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The ace badminton men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has been recommended for the Khel Ratna Award by a 12-member awards selection committee.