Athletes shouldn't demand awards: Shiv Kapur

PUNE: Ace golfer Shiv Kapur believes awards are something a sportsperson should get and not demand. Commenting on shuttler Saina Nehwal's reaction after not getting recommended for Padma Bhushan, Kapur said sportspersons should consider awards as bonus and not their right.
"I didn't set out playing sport to win awards. I set out playing to win medals and awards are recognition to your efforts.I don't think you can ever stamp your authority and demand an award," he said.
"I feel awards are recognition of something you have done. There can be disappointments when you don't get it, which is only natural, but awards should be treated as bonus. To me, one the proudest moments was when I went to the President's house to receive the Arjuna Award, something that I will treasure throughout my life. But if I hadn't got it, I wouldn't have been upset about it."
Kapur was conferred the Arjuna award after he won the Asian Games individual gold in Busan in 2002.
Kapur himself believes in charity. So be it his putter that he used it at the US Open to be tied 23rd, best by an Indian in a Major, or the driver he used to hit European Tour's longest tee shot (442 yards) - he has donated both for good causes. For, the golfer feels, when people are ready to buy stuff used by him, he shouldn't mind giving away for a special reason.
"All these things (clubs) are close to your heart and eventually one day you would want your children or grand children to see them. But when it goes for a good cause, you know that it will go into safe hands and anybody who buys it will cherish it for life. If it goes for a charity , it makes me happy," said Kapur, who was at the Oxford golf course here on Sunday to play a charity Pro-Am tournament organized by fellow golfer Rajiv Datar.
Kapur doesn't mind donating his playing kit, as he has the awards and medals that are really inseparable for him. "The Arjuna award or the Asian Games medal that I won in 2002, will always stay close to my heart," the golfer said.