Despite milestones, Parvesh of Ludhiana rues not getting Arjuna Award

Eminent sportsperson and Commonwealth Games medallist Parvesh Chander Sharma has voiced disappointment over not being conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award, despite a career marked by notable achievements and consistent performances at the international level.

Parvesh of Ludhiana won medals in the 1990 Commonwealth Games held in Auckland, New Zealand. He bagged two gold medals in clean and jerk events and one silver medal in featherweight category. He secured a gold medal in 60 kg group in the Youth World Weightlifting Championship held in 1993 in Iran.

Parvesh was conferred Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, the highest Punjab state honour in sports in 1985 and was also bestowed upon Best Sportsperson of the Railways Award in 1991.

The Arjuna Award, instituted by the Government of India, is among the country’s highest honours in sports, presented annually to athletes for outstanding achievement and consistency at the international level. Sharma’s case, according to several observers, highlights concerns often raised about deserving sportspersons being overlooked despite meeting the set criteria.

Having represented India with distinction at the Commonwealth Games in 1990 and other major competitions, Sharma said that while personal accolades were never his primary goal, recognition at the national level holds significant value for any athlete who had dedicated years to bringing laurels to the country.

During an interaction, Sharma said every athlete aspired to serve the nation and earn recognition for his or her efforts. “I have always given my best on the field, and while I am proud of my achievements, not being considered for the Arjuna Award has been disheartening. I am of proud of representing India on international platforms, but the absence of national recognition in the form of the Arujna Award has left a sense of unfulfillment. Every athlete dreams of not only winning medals for the country, but also being recognised by the nation. I have given my best years to the sport, and I believe my performances deserved consideration,” Sharma said.

Echoing similar sentiments, a fellow athlete stated, “We know about the kind of effort it takes to reach the international stage. Sharma’s achievements speak for themselves, and he deserves due recognition.”

Former international weightlifter, Arjuna awardee and general secretary, Punjab Weightlifting Association, Tara Singh said over the years Sharma had built a reputation as a disciplined and committed athlete, delivering strong performances on international platforms and contributing to India’s sporting success. His medal winning feat at the Commonwealth Games remains a defining moment of his career, earning him admiration within sporting circles and remained a high point by bringing pride to both his state and the nation.

“Parvesh has been a consistent performer at the highest level. His contribution to Indian sports is significant, and he certainly deserves to be honoured with the Arjuna award,” Singh said.

Other office-bearers of the body, including Sandeep Sharma, Hardeep Singh, Prof Manjit Singh, Prof Sucha Singh and Manjit Singh (DSP), expressed similar views. They argued that his credentials met the criterion and that his exclusion raised questions about the selection process. They said they thought that such cases highlighted the need for greater transparency and inclusivity in the award selection system.

Members and officials of the Ludhiana District Weightlifting Association— Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja, Sukhwinder Singh Dara and Narinder Sharma, along with players and coaches Kanwaljeet Singh, Gurinder Singh and Subhkaran Deep Singh — have also expressed support for Sharma, noting that recognition plays a vital role in motivating athletes and acknowledging their contribution to the nation.

Another coach associated with national-level training camps added, “Young athletes look up to players like Sharma. Honouring such sportspersons sends a strong message that hard work and excellence do not go unnoticed.”

“There are instances where athletes with commendable records did not receive their due. Such cases underline the need for greater transparency and a more inclusive approach in the selection process,” said a senior sports official.

Despite the disappointment, Sharma continues to remain actively associated with the sport and is committed to mentoring young athletes and promoting the sport at the grassroots level. His focus, he says, has always been on giving back to the game that shaped his life. He believes that sharing his experience and guiding the next generation is equally important in strengthening the country’s sporting future.

Parvesh had to give up the game due to a disc problem, but that didn’t stop him. He could have taken a backseat, but his passion for weightlifting kept him going. Now, he, with the help of like-minded sports enthusiasts, is channelling that energy into training young talent at the Ludhiana Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Club, Rakh Bagh, opposite Guru Nanak Stadium.

A senior sports administrator remarked that recognition was not just an award, it’s about acknowledging years of sacrifice and dedication. “When deserving athletes are overlooked, it raises serious questions about the selection process,” he said.

Sports analysts point out that honouring athletes like Sharma not only validates their hard work, but also inspires upcoming players to pursue excellence with dedication and perseverance.

As the debate over fairness and recognition in Indian sports awards continues, and many accomplished athletes still await due acknowledgement for their contribution on the international stage, Parvesh’s voice adds to the growing call for ensuring that excellence and dedication are duly acknowledged at the highest level.