Triple jumper Renjith Maheswary was to receive the coveted Arjuna award on Saturday but hours before that, he was told that he will have to wait for the honour till an inquiry on whether he had failed a dope test five years back.
It is learnt that Sports Authority of India officials have told Maheswary that he would not be receiving the award today and if he comes clean after an inquiry, he would be presented with it at a later date. Maheswary told reporters after meeting Sports Minister Jitendra Singh that he had been asked to wait till Monday. "I met the Minister and clarified my stand. The minister has asked me to wait till Monday. They have not withdrawn my name from the list of awardees. They are holding it for some clarifications," said the national record holder. "I have been told (by officials) that it would be better not to attend the presentation function as the award had been put on hold," said Maheswary who is in Delhi with his family members. "I have done nothing wrong. I deserve the Award. No issues had been raised when I applied for the award in 2010, 2011 and 2012," he said, alleging that efforts were being made to end his sporting career.