New Delhi: Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday said that his ministry received the letter of nomination of badminton star Saina Nehwal for the Padma Bhushan only on Saturday, but said it will "examine the possibility of recommending" her name.


India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal. Pic/Getty Images  

Badminton Association of India, however, maintained that it had sent Saina's nomination on time. Saina had expressed disappointment at the Sports Ministry deciding to reject her application for the prestigious Padma Bhushan this year but Sonowal yesterday sought to put the record straight, saying that his ministry received the letter of nomination only on Saturday.