Sports associations unite to oppose the exclusion of carrom, bodybuilding, powerlifting, and more from Shiv Chhatrapati awards.
In Mumbai, sports organizations representing seven disciplines—carrom, bodybuilding, powerlifting, billiards and snooker, sailing, golf, and horse riding—are coming together for a public protest meeting on Friday at Shri Samarth Vijam Mandir, Shivaji Park, Dadar, at 6:30 pm.
This gathering aims to voice opposition to their exclusion from the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Awards list by the state government, as per a government order issued on December 29, 2023.
The decision has sparked concerns about the future quality of players in these sports, as athletes in these disciplines will be deprived of the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati award. Notable names such as world champion Sandeep Dive in carrom, world number 3 Neelam Ghodke, and international carrom player Abhijit Tripankar stand to be affected.
The Maharashtra Carrom Association, Maharashtra State Powerlifting Association, and Maharashtra Body Builders Association have already registered their protest, submitting a letter to Sports Commissioner Suhas Diwas on January 3.
The dissatisfaction has extended beyond the affected sports, with players, organizers, referees, and officials from various disciplines expressing discontent. The public meeting seeks to highlight the sports department’s decision and its potential detrimental impact on the entire sports sector.
Representatives from the Maharashtra Olympic Association and legends from different sports, including carrom, bodybuilding, powerlifting, billiards and snooker, golf, sailing, and others, are expected to participate.
Such exclusions could hinder the motivation of athletes in less mainstream sports, discouraging diversity and talent development.
