India Creates History By Making The Well Deserving Paralympians Eligible For Khel Ratna

The Indian Paralympians have performed exceedingly well in the recent Rio Paralympics. However, unlike our Olympians, these athletes have not received due credit for their performances in the past.

Recently, the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel made history when he announced that next year onwards, even India’s Paralympic athletes will be considered for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

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An Olympic medallist directly qualifies for the Khel Ratna however, there was no such policy in place for Paralympic medallists until now.

 

While visiting the badminton academy of Pullela Gopichand, the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel was quoted saying this. 

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“All the paralympic medallists will be treated at par with other Olympic medallists. They will also be getting Khel Ratna.”

The stellar performance this year at Rio by our Paralympians has prompted the government to take notice and this announcement is certainly a step in the right direction.

Thank you Mr Goel! 

News Source: Times Of India

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