Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal today thanked Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for his quick action in the matter. Saina clarified that reports of her demanding the Padma Bhushan are untrue. She said she had just wanted to know why her name was not recommended for the award.

Earlier, the Sports Ministry today decided to recommend ace badminton player Saina Nehwal's name for Padma Bhushan. The last date for submission of nominations was 15th of September last year whereas Nehwal's name was received in the Ministry on 3rd of this month.

An official release said that in view of her achievements, the department of Sports decided to recommend her case for Padma Bhushan to the Home Ministry as a special case even after the last date. Saina Nehwal had earlier expressed disappointment after knowing that her name was not recommended for the award.