Ahead of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, there was a lot of speculation over the abilities of Indian athletes to come good against more-proven nations like China and Japan. 

While India couldn't really match the heroics of the two countries, who eventually topped the medals tally, the athletes did produce some majestic performances to ensure their country recorded its best-ever performance at the Games with 69 medals- 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze.

It's needless to say that the Indian athletes exceeded expectations and made their country proud. From cash rewards to never-ending praises, the Indian sportspersons undeniably deserved it all. But, 21 days after the Games came to an end, India's miracle workers were left embarrassed in a ceremony where they were supposed to be felicitated.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) became the butt of all jokes during their felicitation ceremony that was organised to award the cash rewards to the Asian Games athletes on 23rd September. 

In an event that was supposed to celebrate the genius of Indian athletes, the IOA got multiple names wrong on the cheques that were to be handed to the athletes. They even missed out on mentioning the name of bronze-medal winning wrestler Divya Kakran.

At the felicitation of our #AsianGames2018 champions by IOA.

Compliments to IOA for felicitating Asian Games medalists for the first time in its history.

Was my pleasure to have another opportunity to meet our #AsianGames  medalists. pic.twitter.com/pe6hsrt7RN

Around 15 medallists including compound archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma were given just bouquets, as the IOA somehow managed to misprint their names on the cheques meant as rewards for their efforts at this year's Asian Games. 

The IOA awarded Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively for the gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the team events. The individual medallists received Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively. But, in the end, it didn't even matter as they couldn't even get their names right.

"I would like to apologise in advance for our mistake. The names of around 14-15 players have been printed incorrectly so we will give them a bouquet. But don't worry, you will get your cash prizes. I didn't want to give cheques with misspelt names," IOA President Narinder Batra was quoted as saying by PTI.

© Twitter/@Ra_THORe

Surprisingly, the major goof-up was only realised after Kakran's parents raised the issue with the IOA President after the ceremony had ended. Realising their mistake, Batra called Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore to announce the prize for poor Kakran.

Several players were missing from the felicitation ceremony including gold medallists - javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and tennis players Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan, wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat along with badminton medallists PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. But, it seems that they were probably lucky to evade such an embarrassment.

In a country like India, where cricket and cricketers continue to hog the limelight, other sports and sportspersons have to make amends by playing the second fiddle. They work just as hard and their achievements are just as important as the popular cricketers. 

While they still have to wait to come out of the shadows of the cricketers, these athletes should not be robbed off the praise and rewards they truly deserve.