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Sebastian Xavier cries foul

Ace swimmer Sebastian Xavier, owner of three national records and several gold medals in international competitions, has said that Bhanu Sachdeva did not deserve the Arjuna award by any stretch of imagination.

In a letter written to the secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, copies of which were sent to the President and Prime Minister, Xavier said: 'It is crystal clear that the award given this year is politically motivated and a result of favouritism''.

Xavier, who has won 36 gold medals at the SAF Games, SAF Championships and Asia Pacific meets - and has represented the country at two Asian Games and one Olympics, said he had been overlooked because he was not backed by any politician or eminent personality.

The Indian Railways employee from Kerala, a 50 metre specialist, is now the seniormost swimmer in the country. He has been competing in national and international meets since 1988.

Sachdeva, according to Xavier, stopped participating in 1995 and has just 17 gold medals in international meets. Xavier has won 66 gold medals in national meets, while Sachdeva just nine.

''Every citizen is entitled for equal honour but a senior and harder worker cannot be ignored,'' Xavier said in his letter.

UNI