India, Aug. 19 -- A day after it announced a trimmed-down list of national sports awardees, the sports ministry backed its decision and said awards can't be doled out on reputation alone.

Only 17 athletes were named for Arjuna awards on Tuesday from the 24 recommended by the selection committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra. The shortlist was submitted at least six months back, and the ministry, after a prolonged evaluation, pruned the list.

"We agree it's not the convention," a senior ministry official said. "Usually, the names forwarded by the selection panel are final, but this time we decided to cut the flab. Arjuna awards have to be earned, they can't be given on reputation."

The ministry has t...