The Kerala government has finally decided to give a long-overdue reception and award of Rs. 2 crores to PR Sreejesh, one of the state’s most celebrated athletes. Last day, Sports Minister V. Abdurrahiman confirmed the decision. However, this announcement only came after persistent questioning by the media. When asked about the delay, the Minister was pressed to, at the very least, transfer the prize money to Sreejesh’s bank account if there was no time for a public reception.

PR Sreejesh is a towering figure in Indian sports, the only Malayali to have won two Olympic medals. Despite his tremendous achievements, the reception scheduled in his honor following his historic win at the Paris Olympics was abruptly canceled, reportedly due to disagreements between ministers. Sreejesh, who had traveled to Thiruvananthapuram with his family for the event, was forced to return home empty-handed. This kind of treatment is unprecedented, especially considering how other states have honored their Olympic heroes.

The Sports Minister’s reluctance to host the reception for Sreejesh, an employee of the Department of Public Education, under the auspices of the same department, has brought shame to Kerala. It’s essential to compare Kerala’s handling of the situation with other states to fully grasp the level of disrespect shown. States like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra wasted no time in announcing awards and honors for their Olympic medalists. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin even awarded gold medalists from the latest Chess Olympiad the day they returned to India. Meanwhile, Odisha has been sponsoring the Indian hockey team for years. The question arises: why has Kerala, once a leader in national sports, fallen so far behind?

Kerala’s concern for sports seems limited to words spoken at discussions and seminars, with little to no action taken. While the government discusses spending Rs. 100 crore to bring the Argentina football team to Kerala, it cites financial difficulties as the reason for not hosting the National Junior Athletic Meet. Kerala, which dominated the national junior title for over 25 years, has now gone over a decade without winning it. If the state can’t even organize a national meet for its young athletes, what kind of sports revolution do they envision by bringing Lionel Messi here?

This issue was highlighted in an editorial titled "Kulam Mudiyunna Kayika Keralam" published by *Kerala Kaumudi* in August. It lamented the ongoing decline of sports in the state, and the mishandling of PR Sreejesh’s reception is a glaring example of this neglect.

When asked about the delay in awarding Sreejesh, the Sports Minister responded by saying that awards are more meaningful when presented in a public forum, as they inspire future athletes. If that’s the case, the Minister should also explain what kind of message it sends when an Olympic medalist is humiliated by a canceled reception after traveling to receive his award.

The government needs to understand that it’s not just athletes and coaches that make sports thrive – a supportive sports ministry and leadership are equally essential. This is why sports fans across the state are demanding a public apology from the government for the embarrassment caused to Sreejesh. A reception, now scheduled for next month, is expected to be held, but the damage to the state’s reputation has already been done. If the government truly wants to inspire future athletes, they must first acknowledge and apologize for this failure. Only then can Kerala regain its former standing in the world of sports.