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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: A cryptic post by a businessman and honcho of a private sports management company on X, that claims to handle several Olympians, their social media accounts and their financial dealings, on Monday triggered a row for questioning why double medalist Manu Bhaker’s was excluded from the “recommendation” for Khel Ratna award.
The post has raised a speculation if private individuals can influence a government decision or decision of sports bodies on prestigious awards in the country.
This even as there is no official confirmation on the names either included or excluded n the list for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award — the country’s highest sporting honour.
Even after winning two medals in a single edition of Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s name is missing for Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.@realmanubhaker pic.twitter.com/pEUVMfJ9bC
— Rahul Trehan (@imrahultrehan) December 23, 2024
On Monday, Rahul Trehan, who identifies himself as a chief operating officer of IOS Sports & Entertainment, posted on X (formerly Twitter) “Even after winning two medals in a single edition of Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s name is missing for Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award,” while attaching an article by an English daily that claimed her name was missing.
When The New Indian correspondent reached out Trehan for his comments, he first kept skirting the issue and refused to comment if there was any financial dealing between him, his company or Bhaker.
The transcript of questions sent to Trehan, read “Q1: Have you made this remark independently, or did Manu Bhaker or her family tell you to do this? Q2: A journalist from ABP has also made a similar request on his Twitter; he is the same journalist who interviewed Manu.Q3: Are you telling any journalist to ask such a question in a public forum to arm-twist the government? Q4: How much percentage of the overall revenue as a contract with Manu Bhaker or other Olympians would you charge or take? Would you like to clarify you as the director of IOS you take? Q5: Is it appropriate for you to make such statements seeking an award or pressuring the government of India under any pretext?”
That sounds ridiculous…How in the world can you miss @realmanubhaker name from the list of recommendations for the highest sporting honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award ?? An achiever of highest degree, somebody who created history in Paris Olympics by getting us 2 medals… pic.twitter.com/KXty9Uc1jj
— Ashish K Singh (ABP News) (@AshishSinghLIVE) December 23, 2024
The New Indian is posting entire chat script for transparency below.
Trehan didn’t answer any of these questions.
Trehan also refused to comment if he was coercing THE media fraternity or any journalists to ask or post these questions. A pattern suggested that Trehan and ABP’s journalist Ashish Singh have posted several photographs in the past.
The ABP journalist posted a similar query on his X handle. Trehan didn’t reply to a question on his ties with this journalist over this query either.
Happy birthday @AshishSinghLIVE bhai. Wishing you lots of success and happiness always. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/kMAaMSfGkg
— Rahul Trehan (@imrahultrehan) December 1, 2024
ALSO READ: INTERVIEW| I Would love To Court Someone On Top Of Eiffel Tower: Olympian Manu Bhaker
Since 2014, the Modi government has earned praises for disallowing any angling or pressure tactics or favours for civilian honours like Padmas or sports honours like Dhyanchand.
Trehan first sent a Whatsapp message, barely saying, “Her family will respond.” He later changed his statement, saying “don’t quote me”.
Sports ministry said no private members or companies can be allowed to enter into the ministry to influence into such sensitive and confidential declaration of awards, let alone any pressurising tactics.
Trehan, who originally hails from Punjab’s Ludhiana, had in 2023 bought a new residence in West Delhi.
Sources in the sports fraternity say that Trehan had flown to Paris after Bhaker’s award and claimed to have “arranged” their travel together back home. He is frequently seen flying with Bhaker’s father Ramkishan Bhaker.
