The Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Thursday said that three winners of this year’s National Sports Awards will not be attending the virtual ceremony on August 29 after testing positive for coronavirus.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat and shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are among the absentees as they confirmed that they have tested positive for Covid-19. Vinesh had travelled to Sonepat on Thursday where she was to attend the function. It was where she took the test. Interestingly, her coach Om Prakash Dahiya, who travelled with her to Sonepat, too tested positive.

Sixty-five of the 74 award winners will be present at various SAI and National Informatics Centres in the country to receive the awards.

“There are 74 awards in seven categories. Total of 65 award winners will be attending the function from various locations. Nine winners will not attend due to multiple reasons such as ill-health, being quarantined, tested positive or not in the country etc,” an official statement said.

“Three award winners after having tested positive will not attend the function,” the release added.

President Ramnath Kovind will present the awards to the winners virtually. President Kovind will be attending from the President’s house, via video conferencing.

Cricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu, Table Tennis player Manika Batra and women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal will receive the prestigious Khel Ratna Award.

Rani Rampal, who is a Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, has left SAI Bengaluru to attend the virtual function. All health protocols are being strictly followed to ensure the safety of athletes.

“All health and safety protocols, in keeping with the guidelines of the Health Ministry, are being followed at all the venues where dignitaries and awardees will be present. Further, the Sports Ministry has advised every award winner to undergo a Covid-19 test before reporting to the venue,” SAI said.