I didn't recommend Rajiv Khel Ratna for myself: Manika Batra

NEW DELHI: It was a memorable day for Indian table tennis icon Manika Batra who was bestowed with nation's highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, by President Ram Nath Kovind in a virtual ceremony on Saturday.

However, this year's award came with its set of criticism as many questioned if Manika did enough to be recommended by the National Sports Award Selection Committee. Her charismatic show at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games duly won her the Arjuna. But a pale 2019 followed by lack of tournaments in 2020 questioned the justification for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games double gold medallist, however, shunned the critics, saying she seldom pays attention to what people say behind her back.

"To be honest, an athlete's job is to perform for India and I am always focussed on that — making my country proud by performing well," Manika told IANS. "It's not my decision to be recommended for the awards, the committee does that. I can only perform to make my claims and I intend to keep doing so without paying attention to what people are saying behind my back."

Manika expressed her happiness on being conferred with the biggest sports award of India and said she was grateful to everyone who made it happen. IANS

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