Arjuna Awards have to be earned: Sports Ministry official on trimmed list

After 17 athletes were named for the Arjuna Awards from the 24 recommended by the selection committee, a senior Sports Ministry official said, "We agree it's not the convention." "Arjuna Awards have to be earned...They can't be given on reputation," the official added. Meanwhile, no athlete was named for the Khel Ratna award for the first time in 12 years.