Arjuna Awardee Rakesh Kumar misses out on J&K’s sportsperson list

41-year-old paralympian, Rakesh Kumar, recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award for his outstanding achievements in para-archery, has failed to make it to the provisional selection list for the appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Aggrieved, Rakesh Kumar, has now knocked on the doorstep of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raising questions over the evaluation criteria. Speaking to The Pioneer over the telephone, Rakesh Kumar told this correspondent, after the provisional list was released by the Youth Services and Sports department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, I wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, sharing my deep concern and disappointment. “My name has not been included in the recently released list of 222 recruitments under SO 12, despite being one of the highest-achieving sportspersons of Jammu & Kashmir,” Rakesh Kumar informed the Chief Minister.

“As an Arjuna Awardee, World Number1 Para Archer, and an athlete who has represented India at the Paralympic Games, World Championships, Asian Games and multiple international ranking tournaments, I have consistently brought honour and recognition to the Union Territory and the nation. It is deeply disheartening that despite fulfilling the highest standards of international sporting excellence, my name does not find mention in the recruitment list. This raises serious concerns regarding transparency, evaluation criteria and the application of merit in the selection process”, para-Archer hailing from Katra wrote in his representation to the Chief Minister. Seeking a transparent review of the provisional list, Rakesh Kumar also pleaded. I humbly submit that sportspersons who have achieved at the highest global platforms should not be overlooked. Such omissions not only affect individual athletes but also send a discouraging message to the entire sporting fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir. A transparent review of the provisional list should be immediately ordered.

He also sought the Chief Minister to reconsider his candidature strictly on merit and international achievements. This representation is not merely personal; it concerns the principle that genuine sporting excellence must be recognised and rewarded fairly, Para Archer emphasised in his representation. “I place my faith in your leadership and sense of justice and request your kind intervention to ensure that merit prevails”, Rakesh Kumar concluded.