Paralympic medallists would be considered for Khel Ratna award: Vijay Goel

2016 Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik were among the four recipients of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award this year. However, the four para-athletes who garnered medals at the Rio Games had not been considered for the awards this year. Ensuing widespread calls for honouring the para-athletes as well, Sports Minister Goel has promised during a celebratory dinner that there would be no exception made for the paralympians and that they would definitely be in the running for the prestigious sports award.

He recalled how silver- medal winner Deepa Malik had been very upbeat before leaving for Brazil and how he had been confident about her chances. Malik had sought for an interaction with the Prime Minister before her departure which was duly arranged. “The Prime Minister will receive you,” was Goel’s response to the 45-year-old’s request, the Sports Minister said as he reminisced the days before the athletes embarked on their historic Rio sojourn.

On the sidelines of the event, Goel also revealed new plans to boost sports across the country. He announced that a ‘Khelo India Khelo’ campaign and a sports talent search website will be launched soon. The latter will give a golden opportunity to any sports talent from any corner of India to upload his details and video and seek support. 

Not only that, the minister also believes that a sports summit should also take place even though he did underline the fact that sports is not yet a profitable venture.